And the world did gaze in deep amaze
At those fearless men and true
Who bore the fight that freedomīs light
Might shine through the foggy dew
Lyrics to 'The Foggy Dew' performed by Sinead O'Connor & the Chieftains
Elements of Great Design Part 68
"Speed is one thing, but it's just as important to be as undetected as possible," Duo spoke to his new group of young scouts.
Along the branches, rocks and raised roots around, the mix of boys, girls, race and homeland sat to listen in apt interest to the son of Shinigami as he raised one of the many small twigs littering the ground to snap it in half.
The sound resonated through the otherwise silent part of the wood. "By stepping on something that tiny, you might as well be wearing bells on you," Maxwell warned. "You'll give away your position and put yourselves in danger."
Rubbing his hands together, he smirked, "But today, I will be giving each of you a few tools that will not only keep you hidden from sight, but you will be soundless too."
At that, he held out a pair of shadowy shoes that he slipped over the bottoms of his boots and a black cloud of a cloak. Pulling the shroud over his shoulders and closing it with one hand while the other pulled the hood over his head, he completely vanished from sight. With sharp gasps and wide eyes, the youngsters sat up and peered around frantically.
Whistling, the braided Black Mage drew the attention back onto himself as he removed the conjured wrap to reappear in a tree branch high above the heads of his students. A violet eye winking, he grinned, "And not so much as a leaf rustle to give me away."
Elated smiles broke out as the scouts cheered and applauded enthusiastically.
Gracefully scaling back down to the ground, Duo gave a dramatic bow at the waist. Chuckling to himself, he began to hand out his magical gifts to the eager youths. In a momentary sober up on his part, he continued to made his way through the team as he told them, "Now, just as an added precaution, we are also going to go over clearing an escape route for yourselves and finding a hiding place in a pinch."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the next clearing...
Heero paced around the wide ring of Fighters engaged in sword spars. "Remember that most of your opponents are more than twice your height. We are going to have you switch off between arms until they feel like they are going to fall off. And just when you cannot stand the pain, we are going to continue through it," he called over the bright clanging of steel meeting steel and grunts of effort.
"If you do not have the stamina to keep your arms up, your enemy will take you out before you can catch your breath," Yuy continued, easing his side into the back of Mueller, who had paused to take a break.
Pushing the Peacemillion soldier back to his opponent, Life urged both his student and the whole of the team, "There is always a way through the exhaustion and the pain. Think of your loved ones... your homeland... anyone and everything you have lost... whatever it takes to keep trudging on!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Likewise, Barton was at the other edge of the same clearing to observe his charges. "If you can manage with smaller movements in taking out your challenger, do it," he passed on. "Smaller, more effective strikes will only help you reserve your strength for the more difficult kills. There is no need to use the same force in hitting a gremlin that you would a Behemoth. And you will only have seconds to size up what is after you."
Shaking his head as he moved throughout the paired off challengers, Trowa stated, "Brains are every bit as important as brawn, gentlemen. Those of you who have already faced off against those monsters are more than aware of that. Your brothers who have been fortunate enough to have avoided Mariemaia's forces up to now are going to follow your lead when the last fight comes."
The Dragoon walked past a section of the ring that had been cleared away for Wufei to focus on hand-to-hand combat with Alex. Every twist, punch, kick and attempt that the two warriors made on each other intensified. Finally, the blonde Fighter made a fateful error by over throwing his right hand. Easily catching the marble-skinned fist with a loud clap in his own palm, Chang smirked at his pupil just before tossing him over his shoulder.
With a hard fall onto his back, the Peacemillion guard's lungs pushed out a rush of air when a foot fell to rest on his chest. Chuckling to himself, Alex peered up at the Monk grinning down at him. Arms folded across his chest, Chang praised, "Not bad. That is the longest you have lasted in a spar with me yet."
Noting the very light layer of sweat on the Earth Keeper's brow, the mortal noted how soaked he was in comparison. "Yea, well you are not the one who looks like he just went for a swim in the lake," he snorted as a hand was lowered to help him to his feet.
Wufei shrugged, "I have a lot more conditioning. Most Monks, like myself, began their lessons very early in their lives. For just picking this up just over a week ago, you are keeping up well." Gesturing to the soldier's stitched arm, he stated, "I hardly noticed the difference in your punches between your new hand and the other."
"These sessions have been helping with the lag, that's for certain," Alex nodded, staring down at his marbled fist as he opened and closed it. "And I have figured out how to compensate thanks to the extra exercise." Grinning, he told the Keeper sincerely, "I really appreciate the extra time that you have been taking out to work directly with me, Wufei."
His mouth tugging up at the corner, Chang responded, "I accept the thanks now, since you will likely not like me much by the time we are actually finished today." Already settling into a defensive pose, he prepared for the snickering Fighter to prepare an assault that marked the restart to their skirmish.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Walking before the line of archers that she had assembled deeper in the woods, Anna placed herself between her students and the hanging body bags covered with armor swinging from the trees at her other side while the 'class' stood with their backs to her.
"Necks, under the arms and where the ribcage meets the pelvis," she shouted to the long list of troops, " as we have discussed before, these are the weakest points in the armor of our enemies that will bring on a quick death if they are hit just right."
Tightening their holds on their bows instinctively, the Fighters listened to her words intently... followed the crunch of her feet against the snow and frozen grass behind them as she approached the end of their line.
"You have had enough time to work out these details so that you can take aim on your targets at a moments notice," the redhead went on, coming to a halt at Trent's back where he waited as the last soldier. "Now, turn around and fire when ready!" she shouted.
Instantly, the four dozen archers spun around, nooked arrows pulled back as they lined up their marks and shot in as much time as it would have taken one to blink.
The whirl of the projectiles swooshed loudly through the air, quickly followed by the deep thunks of their landing into the thick burlap material between the dark metal shielding the 'monsters.' In that breath of time, Anna had bent forward to make a fast last adjustment in the dip of Trent's bow from behind so that the others did not catch her helping him.
Blinking widely, Quinze noted the perfect hit he had made in the dummy's thick neck. Since he had felt the slight nudge up, he turned to smirk over his shoulder in gratitude to the winking Fire Keeper.
Her own eyes growing, Anna walked the line to observe the arrows piercing the string of targets... all of them having landed cleanly in their intended marks... necks, under the arms and where the pelvis met the ribcage just as she had spent the last week getting them to do.
Folding her arms, she huffed, "Huh. Well, this is the absolute worst display of archery I have ever seen." She turned on her heels to chastise along the line, "You all should be ashamed of yourselves."
Even the soldiers saw through her act, their lips curled up in small smiles that had her falling out of character and laughing in the next instant. Their own heads falling back or hands covering their mouths, the soldiers joined in the hysterics. Managing to calm herself, the redhead clapped her hands enthusiastically. "I could not be more proud of all of you," she beamed as her pupils returned her wide smile.
Gripping her hips, Anna giggled, "I'll bet that not a one of you Fighters ever dreamed that you would be working so closely with a thief before, Keeper or not. This is a pretty new experience for me, not having to run from you soldiers for a change."
Snickers and more laughter followed. With a sharp wave at the lot, she told them, "Get out of here. You all earned an early leave. That way I will have more time with the next team."
Instead of heading out, all of the warriors moved for the dummies to remove their arrows to take the task off of their mentor's hands. Closing her gaping mouth, Chang's eyes warmed at the respectful and considerate display.
Handshakes and words of profound appreciation were offered by the archers along their way past her to leave the forest until she was the last person remaining.
"Well, well," she muttered to herself, head shaking, "how times really have changed."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Off in the main infirmary tent, Quatre sat atop a raised seat in front of a few dozen Healers, their aids and several varieties of gifted. After days of hearing the concerns, suggestions and whatever else the caregivers had, this would be the first meeting in which the strategy brought on by bringing those together would be discussed.
"For you medics who overlook the patients first, communications between you and the Mage, Alchemist, Sage, Devout or name any kind of specialty mystic who can be of the best assistance is going to be the key in treating and saving the injured that come to these tables," the Keeper began. "What I recommend is a handful of each specific field of gifted to have their own hubs for every so many beds that you can handle together."
Gesturing off to closed off, rounded sections spread out through the tent, Winner announced, "I took the time to weigh in the number of wounded that will be placed throughout this infirmary as an example to the proper spacing between those stations. At any given time, there should be a mystic who will be able to cover every kind of healing power at any given moment. This will prevent confusion amongst your ranks."
Sally and the others smiled, their heads nodding in agreement. What with so many variations of Mages and such, there would certainly have been an overwhelming disorder in finding the right people to help the right kind of injuries.
In addition, unlike many other fights in the past, the one coming on the brink would be on the White Fang's terms... allowing their Healers to be at the most ready they could possibly be even when the fighting would become the thickest.
The Water Keeper chewed on the inside of his cheek before he stated, "Normally, I do not bring in the empathic side of my white magic to alter the emotions of others because of my own personal morals on the matter. But in this case, I will trace a fine line of calming spells to help you keep yours while easing your charges in their waiting to be seen and treatments."
Eyes amongst the Mages widened. Already sensing where their thoughts were heading, the veiled gifted smirked, "It is a trick that I had stumbled upon a long time ago and so teaching that aspect of your powers would not be an easy process. Perhaps it is my presence as a Keeper that brought on the ability." His kind nodded in content over the explanation.
Rubbing his hands against his loose, white pants, Quatre asked, "Any questions before we begin assigning where all of you will be?"
Heads turned to see if any hands were raised. Not one was, bringing a small smile to the White Mage as he rose to his feet and said, "Alright. Let's begin, then."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A pair of crystalline, blue eyes blinked through the dark shadows of the woods before they disappeared all together.
* * * * * *
"Just as you had assumed, the Keepers are most certainly with the rebels," the whispery voiced messenger informed.
Leaning up again the wall beside him, the dark blue, purple and black beast's whole mass of a body shifted around its edges like a floating mist. "So far, there is little arranged as far as traps in the midst of their encampment, but I must admit that what they are building in those mortals is quite impressive." [1]
That was precisely what Chaos did not want to hear.
Grunting, the red demon's wings wrapped around his shoulders like a cape closing as he hissed under his breath, "They are giving those people hope. And now being fully aware that the next time our armies meet will be the last one way or the other, they are going to fight to the last. They are going to be a greater force to be reckoned with than they have ever been."
Smoke puffing through his nostrils, the Commander asked, "Shadow Lord, what more can you tell me of this Fighter that the Keepers and the son of Shinigami are linked to? His significance has remained a mystery to our Mistress ever since her first spies had spotted him."
His spiked head shaking, the ever changing creature replied in his breathy tone, "The soldier's name is Heero Yuy of Romefeller. From what I was able to reserve, the other members of the Alliance hold him in as high regards as they do themselves. Everyone in the rebellion looks to him for just as much guidance as the wielders of the Elemental Stones. Why that is I cannot say, but his value is more than evident."
Rubbing his chin, Chaos mulled over the new insight. "Of all of the team, who do you consider to be the biggest threat to us?" he pressed. He raised claw, warning, "Give this serious consideration before answering because you will be returning to the encampment one last time."
"My final act in this world," the Shadow Lord whispered, nodding firmly. "The gifted nearly caught onto my presence before I escaped. No doubt I will only have seconds to act before they are upon me. But if I can remove our biggest challenge, I will gladly return to Abaddon's realm despite my short stay here in this realm."
The corner of his mouth curling up, the bull of a monster chuckled deeply, "That is until we have won the war. When that time comes, our Mistress will not need to nearly sap all of her strength to bring you here since our Master will be breaking down the Gates that seal him away."
Smirking, the speaking mist responded, "Of course."
He raised a hardened eyebrow as he stated, "You must then be aware that this act will also likely bring on the battle that will forever decide the war. Revenge will be sought out and so the retaliation spurred on by that will come swiftly. Mistress Mariemaia will need to be ready to do what she must when our challengers come to us."
Chaos reassured, "I am more than prepared for all of this. It is why you have time to choose your victim. A great deal will ride on your being right in your call and successful in the deed. I will see that we have everything and everyone that we need by the time you are off."
Pushing himself off the wall, the Shadow Lord declared, "I shall take my leave to weigh over this decision for as long as I must, then." That said, he turned and sank into the bricks to transport through the darkness stretching throughout the castle and the land.
His hoofed feet clattering against the stone floor as he stepped out onto the nearest balcony, the Commander stared out to the south... to the last misty bit of light that clung onto the world by a thread.
"Bide your time while you can, friends," he sneered. "All of our fates will finally be determined very soon... and I am not about to surrender mine easily."
* * * * * *
Wufei groaned in pleasure as his wife's firm and calloused hands massaged his bare shoulders. Eyes closed and head turned to the side of the pillow that it rested on while he lay on his stomach along a low branch, he sighed, "Marry me again, Firefly. I want to make sure that you do not go anywhere when you know how to take such good care of me."
Giggling, Anna shifted in her straddle across the Monk's lower hips and leaned forward to press a kiss against the back of his neck. "You know that I am not going anywhere," she smiled against his skin. She pulled the white-and-red robe lower to expose the whole of his back to knead out the remaining knots from his extensive hours of training.
The rest of the Alliance was seated around their private campfire, looking on in amusement as another deep sigh broke from the Earth Keeper.
It had been another long and intense day for all of them, but probably none more so than for Wufei in having so much hand-to-hand skirmishes. Seeing him so relaxed with his soul mate only made the other Keepers more at peace with the world in light of their brother and sister's happiness.
Now, in the glowing land that had become their temporary home, the travelers were able to enjoy a bit of the fruits of their efforts.
The night watch was out, leaving the rest of the encampment in the distance still for the evening. In the serene quiet, the Keepers took the much needed break to regroup themselves... something that was never difficult to achieve whenever they were together a whole family once again.
Slowly lowering the bowl of broth that he had been sipping, Quatre beamed to his own partner, "I think we all have been making a lot of headway with the army these last few days. The stations for the Healers in the infirmary tents alone are going to make a great difference in the care for our soldiers compared to how things had been in the past."
"Good," Trowa grinned in relief. "I have to say that being able to watch the Fighters' progress over the week has been reassuring to me as well. The White Fang just might have a chance in this after all." Shrugging, he added sheepishly, "Provided we are able to live up to our end of the struggle, of course. There is just a little pressure on us to see them through."
Duo snorted, "Yea, just a little." Stretching his arms over his head and sealing his violet eyes, he let out a wide-mouthed yawn.
When he finished, the son of Shinigami stared into the flames before him and said quietly, "For me, the biggest challenge is going to be not allowing myself to get too attached to the kids I am training... or anyone in the White Fang for that matter. I know that we are going to lose some of them and it is going to hurt but... I just can't help getting tight with them all."
Swallowing roughly, Maxwell kept to himself his own distraught state over the vision his father shared with him. Far worse than losing any of his new friends was the realization that someone he loved deeply was going to be lost. More than being attached to the Keepers, his whole world was forever bound to them all.
At the feeling of tears coming on, the Black Mage lowered his head to fight the shimmer in his gaze off.
Throughout the whole conversation, Heero had his cobalt eyes on the couple in the glowing tree across from him. Days... weeks... of worrying over his growing care for a certain Sorceress had built to a breaking point in the wake of his loved ones' situation.
Unable to pull in his feelings in any longer, the Fighter heard himself mutter, "About Mariemaia... if the opportunity should arise... I think that we should lead by example and show her forgiveness-"
He got no further before Anna's hands froze to grip Wufei's sides in firm a grasp. Blinking widely, he took in the fiery glare that slowly turned his way as his sister gritted through her teeth, "What... did you just say?"
Despite the heat of her fury that shot forth, a chill shot up Heero's spine. And there was no undoing the storm that was about to come down on him.
TBC...
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