Come away little light; Come away to the darkness
In the shade of the night we'll come looking for you
Come away little light; Come away to the darkness
To the ones appointed to see it through
We are calling for you... We are coming for you
-Lyrics to 'Come Away To the Water' performed by Maroon 5 featuring Rozzi Crane
Elements of Great Design Part 57
To say that Duo was hovering was a gross understatement. Still, Heero took his lover's constant presence with grace and understanding given how close the Fighter had come to being beheaded by Ifrit the day prior. And if he was being honest, Yuy would have outright admitted that even he, himself, was still a bit shaken up from the ordeal.
So, the soldier ate in silence with the son of Shinigami doing the same so close that their arms brushed together when working their spoons and forks.
Leaving the Fire Lands of the far north was considerably easier than reaching them thanks to Quatre's makeshift 'boat' of ice that carried them back to the green fields flanking the burning terrain. Camp was set up quickly, one of the tents built around Anna as she continued to sleep curled up against Wufei. Then, a few short hours later, it was the end of Life and Death's watch at the rising of the sun.
Now, the pair took in their surroundings with silent appreciation.
The occasional flock of birds soaring overhead and rabbits bouncing along in the tall, swaying stalks of green were most welcome images of a calm amongst the background of the storm that was the war. Off along the horizon, the sun was steadily climbing between the gaps of the mountain ranges in the distance to paint an array of beautiful colors in the heavens.
It was all a very simple display of tranquility, but one that was rejuvenating for the tired souls of its onlookers.
"What I wouldn't give to just stay here and say to hell with the rest of Gaia," Duo muttered under his breath as he lowered his cleaned off plate.
Snorting, Heero leaned against his partner and smirked, "You know that you would never do that, even if it was an option. You're still dealing with what almost happened to me yesterday."
Not even bothering to deny it, knowing how pointless doing so was, the braided Black Mage sighed, "Yea, you are right on both accounts." His violet eyes losing their focus as they stared out to the rising sun, he murmured, "Still... it's nice to be in a part of the world where that damned darkness is not blocking out the sky."
Despite his wish to not dwell on the harsh reality of the situation, the Fighter reasoned aloud, "At the rate that Abaddon's influence is spreading, it will not be long before these reaches of Gaia fall. You've noticed as much as I have just how rapidly that push has been progressing these last couple of weeks. If we do not stop Dekim Barton and his Master, Gaia will be completely under their rule by spring."
Chewing on the inside of his cheek in deep consideration, Maxwell finally nodded, "By spring, if not sooner. All we can do is hope that Howard and the rest of the resistance can hold out long enough for us to meet with them. I have a bad feeling whatever piece of land they hold onto will be our only way into Paramecia."
Slowly turning his head to meet his lover's gaze, he gave a small smile, noting, "You said that we need to stop Dekim and not Mariemaia. Was that on purpose or a slip on your part?"
Yuy took a deep breath and studied the thin patch of ground between them before looking back on his soul mate's face.
"It was not a slip," he replied. "The more and more I think of what Howard had told us, the more I actually feel sorry for that little girl. Really, it is not something that I can explain very easily as to why... but I do believe deep down in my gut that she is a victim in all of this. Maybe she is not as innocent as those we are out to save, but she is still a casualty of sorts."
Where there had been quiet moments of consideration before, there was no hesitation for Maxwell when he smiled warmly, "Well, if that is how you feel, there will be no argument from me. It wouldn't exactly work for Death to suddenly start questioning Life, after all."
Relieved, the soldier gave a loving grin that quickly faded as he turned his head away. "There's more," he sighed, voice dripping with the troubled emotions coursing through him. "I know how Fighters operate... how they devote themselves to defending the people they defend. Any one of them that has joined the rebels are going to want Mariemaia dead. Hell, even I wanted that more than anything until we met Howard."
Shuddering, Heero shook his head and frowned deeply, "As much as I hate the thought of struggling with my kind, my instinct has me wanting to protect the girl. I am so torn on the whole thing that I do not know what end is up lately."
He gestured to the tent off a few yards on the opposite edge of their camp. "And more than their Fighters, we have two in our own ranks who have every right to want her to suffer. I can only imagine how enraged Wufei and Anna would be if they were made aware of my standing up for the Sorceress that has cursed them."
A slow sigh escaped the son of Shinigami, his own eyes on the same tent. "We'll keep this between us for now," he suggested. "They need to keep their heads clear so that we can get the Earth Stone. Once we're with the rebellion, we'll see where you stand then. Even if you're not exactly clear on your feelings, obviously they need time to get sorted out. Just don't let any of us influence you one way or the other."
Peering back on his lover, he shrugged and smirked, "Whatever you end up deciding, I'll back you on it completely."
Duo always knew the right thing to say. And he was rewarded with a deep kiss for it.
By the time the pair pulled away, Quatre and Trowa emerged from their tent. Fully rested after their exhausting ordeal, the Keepers nodded in gratitude to their friends for the breakfast that continued to warm over the fire pit at the center of their camp. Only a few bites in, the whole lot raised their heads to watch as Wufei and Anna stepped out into the world.
"There she is," Barton beamed. The closest and so the first to reach his sister, Air scooped Fire up into his arms for a tight hug. Spinning the laughing redhead around, he kissed her cheek. "Good to have you back with us, dear one. How are you feeling?"
Chang giggled as she was lowered back onto her feet. "I'm fine, worrywart," she answered with a smirk. Accepting and returning Winner's embrace when he stepped in next, she praised, "And I am so damned proud of you two. I caught a lot of your feats from my place in the fight. Very impressive." At her side, her shadow in the form of the black wolf grunted to second the sentiment.
Snickering while the thief mussed with his hair, the White Mage smiled, "Well, we have the two best teachers for bringing us up to speed on our powers." He winced and bit his lip nervously before informing, "I was not able to heal all of your wounds perfectly. The ones that left scars were too deep and extensive for my late intervention to be of the best assistance."
"I know!" Anna cheered excitedly. "Wufei pointed out the scar that runs along my back as well as the others. I love them!" To the stunned expressions of her fellow Keepers, she grinned, "What? You should know by now that I have never been the prissy type. It's nice to have battle marks." Snorting, her brothers shook their heads.
As soon as her blue eyes fell on the Fighter of the team as he approached, the archer's quiet laughter came to an abrupt halt. Biting her lip, she ran for Yuy and threw her arms around his neck at the same time that he pulled her close. Pecking his cheek, she whispered, "Are you alright? I never had a chance to make sure you were not hurt when Ifrit went for you."
Fighting the shimmer that came into his vision at her concern, Heero tightened his hold on her as he responded, "I am more than fine, thanks to you." Slowly releasing the Fire Keeper, he stated, "Of all of us, you were by far the worst off after the way you put us before your own well-being."
Duo walked into the scene, commenting, "Not that the effort came as a shock to any of us." Biting her lip when she was suddenly enfolded by him, Anna felt the dampness of tears from the closed eyes buried against her shoulder. "Thank you," was all Maxwell could manage brokenly, his muffled voice so quiet that it was nearly missed.
"Now, now... no need for that," Chang reassured as she rubbed a free hand along the back of his braided head. "Any one of you would have done the same." Sincere as those words were, the thief's eyes still glistened along with the rest of the Alliance standing by.
Especially taken aback by his lover's emotional display, Heero had to turn his head aside to wipe away a few droplets that had run past his defenses. If ever there was a doubt to just how deeply the son of Shinigami felt for him, that reaction to Anna's saving his life would have silenced it permanently. But there never was that uncertainty, and so it only made what the Fighter already knew to be felt that much deeper.
Finally pulling back once he was able to compose himself, Duo laughed and dried his face with the back of his arm. "Alright, enough of the tears," he snickered. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us." Trowa and Quatre chuckled softly, but nodded their heads in agreement to the quick change of subject. Rather than tease his embarrassed partner, Yuy stepped to Death's side and smiled as he wrapped an arm around the Mage's shoulders.
Clapping her hands together, Anna cheered, "I could not agree more!" She dropped to her knees and hugged the black wolf's neck, asking, "Ready to meet your Earth Stone, Wufei?"
The Monk's long tail picked up speed in its to-and-fro wag and an excited yelp leapt from his throat. Just to prove how ready his was, the furry creature walked ahead of the encampment where he paused to look back on the rest of his teammates as if to silently ask what was taking them so long.
Heads falling back, the Alliance laughed and set themselves to the task of breaking down their gear. Before long, they were mounting their horses as Heero opened his hand to reveal the clear Compass in the center of his palm. The thick, deep gold beam for their final treasure shot forth to create a straight shot to the southeast.
"It would be nice to keep up the momentum we have had. Let's just hope we won't come into too much trouble at the end of this path," the Fighter said softly, bringing Wing to follow the black wolf leading the charge.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Months ago, had anyone told Queen Relena she would be honored to wear a necklace of teeth, she would have all but fainted at the thought. But when Trent returned from the recent night raid on Mariemaia's army, nothing could have made her more proud than to be presented with a cord bearing nine different shapes and sizes of ivory.
Now walking through the camp, Peacecraft ran her fingers long the longest fang in the center of her 'jewelry' with a small smile on her face. Fresh from a proper reunion with her lover, she headed to a scheduled meeting with the Commander of the resistance. Along her way, she took in the cheerful mood of those going about their lives around her.
Just as Dorothy had assured the Sovereign, the attack was a success in the sense that it rejuvenated the spirits of the White Fang. Not a single loss of life and very few injuries suffered came as a most welcome announcement when the Fighters returned in the early morning.
Firion and his fellow dubbed leaders in the Royals of Paramecia and Coneria were smiling more than they ever had since the start of the war and made certain to show it when in the presence of the rebels.
The odds were still stacked greatly against them, but at least they could find satisfaction in taking out a few in the monsters' ranks whenever possible.
Reluctantly lowering her hand from her necklace, Relena stepped into the largest of all the tents stationed at the center of the encampment. Finding the Commander and all of her fellow Sovereigns now totaling twenty-one gathered around the table waiting for only her empty chair to be filled, she ducked her head.
"Please forgive my being late," she requested in haste while moving for her place at Zechs' left. Keeping her burning head low, she tried not to make herself blush any deeper by recalling what she and Trent had been up to that had stalled her presence.
"You are not late at all," Firion smiled warmly. "We only just arrived ourselves."
That came as a bit of relief to the young Queen, however, the smirk that her brother flashed her was enough to let in on how he had guessed the reason for her self-consciousness. And that only caused her blush to return tenfold as she growled a warning under her breath, causing Zechs to snicker in amusement. Still, the slight nudge that he offered promised that the secret was safe with him.
Such was the relationship that the siblings had... they were never shy to playfully teasing each other but they always had a great amount of respect for one another as well.
Happy for the 'discussion,' Relena's face finally cooled enough that she was comfortable to raise her head. At the very least, she was grateful that her brother was not so overprotective that he was going to give Trent a difficult time. In fact, Zechs had a very high opinion of his personal guard and could not have been more thrilled that his little sister had chosen Quinze as her mate.
'Just be sure to never hurt her,' Merquise had told the Fighter in the only threat that he thought was necessary.
Though the King had smiled at the time, there was no doubt behind the determination he had to see through his vowed, 'You will see a side of me you will wish you had never crossed.' Trent's throat moving in a rough swallow and the firm nod he responded with communicated that he got the message loud and clear.
Standing, Firion announced, "We need to discuss moving away from this place as soon as we can, before nightfall, if at all possible. Mariemaia's soldiers have been idle for too long. And the fact that they did little to retaliate against the raid that took place has me concerned that they are planning another push into our territory."
One of the newest arrivals amongst the Sovereigns, Queen Lori of the northern land Tule, was young and still very set in the old ways of the world as she raised a brown eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest. "I see no reason why we need to be moved at all," she huffed as she leaned back in her seat.
Notably, the physically early thirty-year old seemed most displeased to be sitting in a 'commoner's' seat as opposed to her throne. She was also the only Royal who insisted on wearing her expensive gowns that she had somehow escaped with as her city burned in its takeover as opposed to dressing down along with the remainder of the White Fang.
At that moment, presented in an elaborate dress of deep blue and her head pulled back so that her sparkling crown was in full display, she certainly stood out.
"We have the Elders and their gifted on our side now," Lori smirked smugly. "We have all of the protection that we should ever require." Not one of the others so much as nodded their heads in support. But a few eyes did roll or narrow into glares. And yet tongues remained still out of awkward respect for the young woman who had been deemed 'the brat' behind her back, simply because of her rank in the world.
Thankfully, there was one person who did not care to remain quiet. Across from the lovely but infuriating Sovereign, Howard cleared his throat and leaned forward once her brown eyes fell on him. Patient as he was in dealing with the dubbed 'brat' of the group, the Elder was holding back the irritation that flashed across his face before he took a deep breath and folded his hands on the table.
"My dear," he drew out slowly, "Powerful as we may be in the talents bestowed upon us, we gifted are every bit as capable of dying by a sword tip or gavel as you. Remember that these demons sent into Gaia have Abaddon's dark talents on their side as well. We may be able to hold them back for a while, however, even we are not so strong that it would always be the case."
Without changing her disgusted demeanor, the brat snapped, "If that is the case, what good is there in having any of you here?! You are supposed to serve and protect us!"
Howard's mouth fell open to respond as calmly as he could, only to be cut off by Relena's shouted, "Lori, shut up!"
Not paying any mind to the faces that had turned to stare wide-eyed at her, the Romefeller ruler slowly climbed to her feet, face red and eyes burning as she growled under her breath, "I have had enough of your pompousness! When is it going to set in that we are all equals in this war?!"
To the stunned Queen, she suggested, "And get out of those ridiculous dresses! You are going to get the rest of us killed the way that you stand out in these woods! When you are finished changing, take a real good look around you, at the people and creatures that are dying so that you can continue to look down your nose at them and *then* tell me how any one of them is here to serve you!"
Wide-eyed and pale, the Queen of Tule sputtered a series of non-coherent sounds that included a whimper in the string. Seeking out the remaining faces, she did not find so much as a friendly glance passed her way... even her normally supportive husband remained cool as their brown eyes locked.
Whatever she found in her partner's stare caused the 'brat's' eyes to mist as she moved herself back from the table, hiked up her long skirt and ran from of the tent with a long moan.
Blinking in surprise, Peacecraft fell back into her own chair as her friends and family looked on her once more. "I-I am so sor-" she began, only to be cut off when Lori's husband of all people, King Paul, raised his hand to stop her.
"Do not apologize for that," the handsome young man insisted as he lowered his hand. Sighing, he ran a hand through his shaggy red hair and reassured, "You did not say anything to her that I have not tried in order to get through to her. My wife is very stubborn in her ways. Along with that, Lori is in denial over the war and how drastically our lives are going to remain changed regardless of the outcome."
A small smile tugging his lips, Paul stated, "But she will come around now that she knows where she stands amongst her peers. Sometimes it takes more than my advise to sink in."
Noin faced her sister-in-law, snickering, "Besides, one of us had to snap and set her straight, I just can't believe it was you." Laughter filled the air, causing Relena to blush anew. At least she was able to smile through this break in her composure.
There was no further argument raised against the move and so the Royals and the head Elder stood and filed from the tent to see that the word was spread throughout the encampment as quickly as possible.
Lingering at the back of the assembly with Howard, the Queen of Romefeller turned to the old man to ask, "Have you been able to see Heero and the Keepers at all? Dorothy is struggling to conjure any visions of them as the darkness spreads. I am hoping that maybe your enhanced talents might be able to break through Mariemaia's influence."
With a kind smile, the white-robed gifted responded, "Just this morning, I was able to catch a glimpse. The Alliance is still fully in tact, though I refrain from going further into the details as they still have the work cut out for them."
Peacecraft nodded, happy to hear that her long-time friend and the Elementals were well... regardless of the fact that it might only be for the moment. Swallowing past the nervous lump that had formed in her throat, she question in a whispered, "They really are our only chance in saving Gaia, aren't they?"
The mere thought of one loss amongst the team meaning the end of all of Gaia was far too emotionally shattering to comprehend before... but now the young Sovereign realized that the same denial that Queen Lori had demonstrated was as absurd as the dresses that the 'brat' wore.
Howard took a moment to really study his friend's face before he drew a deep breath and frowned, "They are the only light in all of this world that can break through the darkness. If their little glimmer is lost, we will all soon fall behind them."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Standing atop a tall hill, the Four Keepers, Life and Death stood rigidly as they stared out ahead of them. In the center of his palm, Heero's nearly limp hand held the Compass out to the sun that shone brilliantly over their heads. The last beam that continued to glow ran in a direct shot before the team as their wide eyes followed its projection.
"Dear Creator," Duo breathed, the only one of the 'family' to find his voice in light of the terror that wracked them to their cores.
A whole day's travel through pristine fields before them, the sky was blacked out by the edge of Mariemaia's newly claimed border of control... and the gold 'arrow' pierced deep within its confines.
For the whole of the journey leading up to then, the Alliance was able to avoid setting foot into the onslaught that they were risking their existences to end.
Now, they had no choice but to head right into the belly of the beast.
TBC...
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