By the Red Moon Part 35

Duo sighed deeply as he slowly came awake. That same warm, protected sensation that had surrounded him when he fell asleep was still with him. When his violet eyes blinked open, he was greeted with the vision that was a half-naked Heero holding and watching him as the sun was only beginning to brighten the sky beyond the window beside him.

"Hey," the knight greeted quietly, a smile tugging his lips and his arms tightening around the braided teenager. Slowly leaning in, he pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss.

Smiling back when his mouth was freed, the prince replied in kind, "Hey." He snuggled closer against the chest that he was partially laying on and closed his eyes again with a deep breath to take in the scent that belonged his partner. "Don't wanna get up," he muttered.

The Captain chuckled in admission, "Neither do I. We... could always stay here for a while if you would like." Though he did not say as much, his offer spoke volumes of how much he would have liked that.

Unable to contain his excitement over that, Duo closed the distance between their lips for a much more passionate kiss than their first of the morning. Their moment was abruptly ended when someone pounded on the door as a familiar voice yelled urgently, "Heero! Duo! You need to get up!"

"Wufei?" the couple frowned deeply in unison as they sat up to stare in the direction of the insistent knocking. Scrambling from the bed, they quickly pulled on their trousers and tunics on their way to open the door in a rush.

On the other side, as handfuls of guards ran through the halls behind them, Wufei and Anna stood together with something in their expressions that had Maxwell very concerned. He had seen those gleams in their eyes before. It was something that made them almost look wild, yet in control of what they were capable of unleashing.

...It was the same look that he had seen from them just before their last heated battle with Dekim's army. That realization sent a chill running up Duo's spine.

Heero was instantly at full attention at the sight of his friends and asked, "What's going on?"

"There are some unwanted visitors waiting for passage into Pisces," Anna answered, her own tone flat and cold. "We need to get to the walls."

With the way that the archer hissed out the mention of these 'unwanted visitors,' Duo knew that they had to be linked to Dekim. His heart hammering at the thought of having to come up against more fighting. Still, he put on as brave a face as he could while he and the Captain hurried to follow their friends when they ran to lead the way from the castle.

Absolutely nothing would prepare them for what was waiting back at the mainland.

*  *  *  *  *  *

"Dear Creator," Septum breathed when he stepped atop the wall facing the mainland to see the gruesome force standing along the beach. What sunlight made it through was quickly devoured by the thick cover of dark clouds that threatened to open up at any moment, only adding to the eeriness that was smiling back at him.

His skin paling, the king and faced the closest guard to him, shouting in rage, "How did no one see them coming until this morning?! There are hundreds of thousands of those monsters out there?!"

Brown eyes widening and jaw falling, the guard stammered, "S-Sire, I not a one of us knows how they managed to sneak up on us. They just seemed to have appeared from nowhere."

Covering his mouth with both hands, Septum stared out to the army that continued to just stand and watch. Back in their ranks, there were massive trebuckets that could hurl boulders, giant launching pads to send huge arrows flying and many other tools used to breach kingdom walls. [1]

Between the sigh of those instruments and the fact that there was never a warning from Dekim that the soldiers were coming, the king was all too certain of the fate that he had delivered his people... and the world. Burying his hands in his dark hair, he whispered, "Creator, what have I done?"

Spinning at the sound of wings flapping towards him he watched in surprise as Sand Rock, Wing, Deathscythe, Nataku, Heavy Arms, Ingier and Peacemillion flew to the edge of the wall behind him. Perching, the steeds lowered their necks so their riders could descend easily.

As the first to reach the floor, Quatre stalked towards the Septum with a heated glare. "That is just what I have been wondering," he growled. "Early this morning, I had a feeling that you were shrouded by a black veil around your emotions." Pointing out to the hoard, he snapped, "This is your responsibility, then?!"

Taken aback by his long-time friend's ire, Septum sputtered, trying to find the right words as he looked to all of the scowling faces of his guests. Then he noticed that Maralee was amongst them and his heart plummeted in his chest. Storming past the others to approach him, the glower on her face was one that he had never seen before.

Opening his hands out before himself, the king pleaded, "Darling, I swear to you that-" He was cut off, head rolling to the side from the sharp blow to the side of his face from her open palm. The sting from his cheek did not amount to anything compared to the pain of receiving such a slap from his wife.

"No excuses! The only thing that I want to come out of your mouth next is an explanation!" the queen demanded in a shriek, hands balled into fists at her sides.

Straightening himself, Septum's red cheek throbbed. "I... I received a message from Dekim Barton," he informed in little more than a whisper. Shaking his head, he continued, "It offered immunity to the first land that gave the location of the army..." Reluctantly, he gestured to the braided prince to add, "and Duo."

Violet eyes widening, Maxwell mentally reeled over learning that he was mentioned specifically by the sorcerer. Heero, Wufei and Anna immediately moved to stand before him protectively to shield him from he view of the dark army standing by. Maralee covered her mouth to muffle the whimper that left her in hearing the truth from her husband.

Odin walked up to the stricken king and hissed under his breath, "So, you took the word of a murdering madman and doomed us all. I really would never have picked you as one to make such a foolish and selfish act."

"Your shield and walls will not be a match to them," Heero warned, fixing their host with a glare of his own. "I suggest that you have the guards lead the women and children to the underwater caverns through the airways while there is time. Perhaps they will survive this if the tunnels are not discovered."

At those words, Duo felt nauseous. That suggestion came to reveal that no one expected to survive a hit from a force as large as the one they were facing. Staring out at the miles of ogres, gremlins and other horrors, he knew that there was more than enough to swallow their army and everyone in Pisces whole.

They were all going to die this day.

Lightning flashed across the skies and an explosion of thunder shook the air before the clouds released a heavy downpour of rain that fell onto the bubble shield high overhead.

Septum broke from his shocked state and turned to the guards behind him. "You heard him!" he shouted. "Get as many children and women as possible into the tunnels to reach the caverns! See that every able man is armed and prepared for battle!"

The handful of soldiers turned and charged away to carryout their orders. Within moments, voices were shouting and calling out orders. Swallowing roughly, the queen turned to Odin and her other guests. "Our people have never seen battle before," she breathed. "They would have no idea what to do."

Wufei and Anna shared a concerned look. At that announcement, they realized just how much more difficult their work ahead of them was. Taking a deep breath, the swordsman nodded firmly to Maralee, "You should assist the other women and children in seeking cover. On your way, take us to your men so that we may talk with them."

Relieved by the offer, their hostess smiled and quickly embraced the two before turning to show them the way. When she passed her husband, he reached for her and called desperately, "Maralee..."

Pulling her arm away before he catch it, she scowled at him and snapped, "Don't you dare touch me! You find a way to help to make yourself useful!" That said, she turned away from his hurt expression to climb into Nataku's saddle.

Quatre was assisted by Sand Rock onto his own mount to give assistance where he would be of the best use. Heartsick over their situation, he swallowed roughly when he looked to Heero and Duo quite possibly for the last time. Placing a fist over his chest and bowed his head.

A lump forming in his throat, the prince returned the gesture along with his partner. Lightly tapping his golden steed with the heel of his foot, the empath took to the skies and sailed back into the city that had quickly become a place of mass confusion and panic.

Devastated, Septum watched the knights and his gifted friend fly off with his wife. That sense of loss was replaced with grim determination to make things right... if that was even possible now.

There was only one way that he would be able to accomplish that and have Maralee possibly forgive what he had done. It was also the only course he could take that he might be able to live with himself again.

Facing Odin, his eyes narrowed as he stated, "I refuse to take shelter when I am more than fit to fight alongside all of you... if you will have me. While nothing can make up for my actions that brought us to this, I will not run from talking full responsibility."

Another bolt of lightning pierced the sky as the Commander considered for a moment before replying, "Though we could use every man we can get, you do realize the likelihood of our chances to live through this?"

The answering thunder to the lightning boomed, making Duo jump while he stood back and watched. It was still such a hard thing to wrap his brain around, this waiting to die. It was just such an oddity how one could be fully aware that it was coming and not be able to really do anything about it.

Lifting his head, Septum responded, "I do. And I accept it. And if I am going to write my own ending, it will be as a man who died fighting with the bravest souls ever known to this world."

A small, sad smile tugged Odin's mouth. Nodding, he patted the king's shoulder and turned to face his Captain. "See that we have as many of our troops on and around the walls by the bridge points, archers stationed at the best vantage points and foot soldiers blockading the doors."

Without hesitating, Heero headed for Wing, lightly tugging on Duo's arm to have him move. Blinking in surprise at being broken from his thoughts, the braided teenager ran for Deathscythe and strapped himself into his saddle. Together, their steeds flapped their massive wings to fly to the ranks of the army that was scrambling into assembly.

Reluctantly, Maxwell looked over at the Captain and asked, "Why are they just sitting out there? They could have ransacked this place while we were caught unprepared. I don't get why they haven't attacked by now."

Heero gripped his handhold and remained silent a moment before meeting the prince's violet eyes. "It's not how they work," he responded quietly enough that his voice was almost carried away on the wind. "They are waiting for a real fight since they must expect this is the last one they will have."

Duo had fully expected to not like what answer the Captain had to give. And that certainly was the case. Swallowing roughly, he turned his focus ahead to the approaching hills where thousands of soldiers were gathering.

*  *  *  *  *  *

"Careful not to push, everyone," Noin called over the crowd of women, children and elderly as they made their way down the candle-lit spiraling stairs leading down to the crystal caverns. Those not carrying children held onto the glowing scepters to give off more light. Wails and whimpers filled the air to echo off the walls of rock.

With so much panic and fear running rampant through the citizens of Pisces, passage through the lake was out of the question due to the fear that people would start drowning each other in desperation to reach their haven. The tunnels were the best way to have everyone reach the caves safely save should a stampede begin.

Further down the tunnel, Hilde, Lady Une and Queen Sylvia were also spaced out to gently remind the already fearful people to remain as calm as possible.

Raising her burning scepter, Noin gripped the railing behind her with her free hand to stare down into the seemingly endless stairwell that was filled with fleeing souls. "Dear spirits, I hope that these tunnels go unnoticed," she breathed. "There are just so many innocent lives at stake."

The sound of someone hurrying towards her drew the queen to spin while warning, "Please, no running-" She stopped with a sharp gasp in seeing that it was her husband rushing to see her. "Zechs," she sighed in relief. When he was within reach, she threw her arms around him. The movement rattled the chain mail that was covering his torso.

Pulling back, the young woman gripped his shoulders and asked, "Have you seen Duo?"

"No," Zechs frowned deeply. "He must already be with the army, preparing for the fight. I was fortunate enough to break away to have enough time to see you and Hilde one more time." Their daughter managed to shift past the descending crowd as she hurried up the steps.

Tears in her eyes, the teenage girl launched herself at her father for a tight embrace. "May the good spirits go with you, Daddy," she sniffled in his ear.

Smiling sadly as they broke away, the king cupped her cheek and whispered, "You as well, little sprite. You be sure to stay strong for everyone down here." Hilde roughly brushed the wet tracks on her face. Rolling her shoulders back and holding her head up, she nodded firmly.

Zechs leaned in to kiss her cheek and turned to his wife. 'I love you,' he mouthed to her. Biting her lip, Noin ignored the tears running down her own face and pulled him in for a fierce kiss. When the need for air had them pulling apart, someone cleared their throat behind the king.

Looking up, they found Trowa a few steps above them. "Please pardon the interruption, your majesties," he beseeched, lowering his head deeply. Straightening himself, he frowned, "But it is time to go, my lord. Our army will be on the move shortly."

The king nodded and turned to his family to hold them both close one last time. Kissing their heads, he pulled on his silver-plated helmet.

His emerald eyes falling on the princess, the First Scout smiled and placed a fist over his heart. Unable to find her voice, Hilde's mouth only opened and closed in the vain effort to say something... anything to him. Bowing forward, Trowa winked to her and quickly took his leave, leading the king back up the packed stairs.

Quickly regaining her composure, Noin brushed away her tears and told her daughter quietly, "Back to your pose, sweetheart. We need to make sure that there is not a riot down here if tensions continue to rise." Swallowing down the lump that had formed in her throat, Hilde nodded and carefully made her way back down, careful to not trample on anyone.

Putting on her best smile, the queen rested a hand on the arm of a woman who was struggling to step down with her toddler in her arms. "Easy now," she told her gently. Losing herself in his work was the only thing keeping her sane.

And so she would make sure to stay busy for however long she needed.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Wufei, Anna, Trowa and Mueller were spread out through the ranks of the Pisces army to give them confidence, instruction and whatever else they could offer to prepare them for the battle ahead as they marched for the walls together.

Most of the men, some hardly over the age of fourteen, practically shook with terror but they took everything offered by the more experienced knights in.

The archers were already lining at the wall as the raging storm continued outside the kingdom's dome.

Pacing behind them with her arms folded behind her back, Anna yelled over the noise that was the build up of enforcements around the vantage points. "The weakest points in our enemy's armor is in the front and side of their necks and under their arms and over their joints. Whenever you have the chance, aim for those spots. We can fire through the shield, but they cannot hit us so long as it holds up, so be sure to use that to your advantage while you can."

"What is your assessment?" Wufei questioned Mueller when he brought Nataku down to land beside the Commander near the north drawbridge.

Not looking at all pleased, the other knight turned to his ally and answered under his breath, "There is a lot of fear in them. I could smell urine on many of the younger knights that had wet themselves. All that we can do is hope they can pull themselves together when the strike comes." Sharing the same opinion, the swordsman hummed an affirmative.

Moments later, every able man was armed and stationed at the entry points of Pisces and everything fell silent.

Heero and Duo had since returned to the same wall where Anna and her troop was stationed. Biting his lip, the braided prince leaned forward in his saddle while the steeds lining the way growled deeply with their glowing eyes glaring on the dark army before them.

Bearing the helmets and chain mail provided by the supply in Pisces, the woodland army was more protected than it had ever been before. While it was nice to have, there was little chance it would stand against the grinning soldiers on the beaches.

At the front of the sorcerer's army, the Commander's red eyes gleamed as he growled, "I believe that they have had enough time to assemble now. And I am tired of waiting." Turning to the rain-drenched face beside him, he ordered, "Send our messenger."

TBC...

[1] Here are images of medieval trebuchet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet

 

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