Chapter 11 - Decision

Fai tilted his head, confusion mingling with the fear that this stranger, the king, would slaughter them both where they stood. Kurogane voiced the question that he was about to ask. "Why are you out here all alone then?"

The king shrugged nonchalantly, as if he usually strolled around through portals, trapping innocent travelers. "I've come to see if I've finally met my match, I suppose."

Fai's eyes darkened. He's come to look for me.

"You mean … you came out here to search for the one your men failed to secure?" Kurogane asked, his voice flat.

The king laughed again and clapped his hands together. "You're a clever one, aren't you? You're close, but not quite right." He squatted down and peered at Kurogane curiously, as if he was studying some fascinating specimen. "You see, I didn't come here to search for the mage. I came here to destroy him, or die trying."

"You won't find him," Kurogane lied, holding his gaze. Fai watched as red eyes met with red eyes, madness with stubborn defiance. "He's not here anymore."

"Don't lie to me," the king snapped, his sudden change in demeanor startling Fai. He took a small step forward. "I already know that the one I'm looking for is the mage that you claimed was less than nothing to you mere moments ago."

"No he isn't," Kurogane argued. "That idiot barely has any magic." Fai almost wished Kurogane would just shut up and back off, before he got hurt defending Fai.

"I said don't lie to me!" The scream ripped through the air. His black hair swept into his red eyes, now raving mad and chilling in their insanity. He got up and paced, muscles in his arms working furiously as he clenched and unclenched his fists. "I already know, because I sense that he has no magic, yet his magic was clearly working against mine mere moments ago. If that is how much "a little bit" of his magic is, then he is most definitely the one I'm looking for."

Fai frowned in surprise. It had been foolish of him to overlook it, but of course the king would have been able to get a reading on his magic, just as he had on the king's. The mad king pointed at Fai, who froze, unsure what to do, and whispered, suddenly calm again. "You are the one who will die."

The magic binding him disappeared and Kurogane threw himself forward, apparently ready to tackle the lunatic with his bare hands. Fai reacted almost automatically – he lashed his arm out, scribbling furiously in midair. His own glowing dark blue magic lashed out and bound Kurogane, who glanced at him in surprise.

"Stay out of this," Fai growled, unwilling to let Kurogane fight and be killed for his battle. "This is for me to deal with."

I won't let you die for me.

Kurogane scowled fiercely but ceased to struggle, to Fai's relief. He wasn't sure what would have happened if he had to dedicate energy and attention to keeping Kurogane bound – but it probably wouldn't have been a good ending for either of them.

Fai turned to the Alancian king. "Masshiro-ou, I came to your land without any wishes of harm. But if you are to attempt to kill me, then I won't just stand aside and take it." Not anymore. I have things … people to live for now. "But you must know that he spoke the truth when saying I have very little magic left, for I have almost none. I will insist on an honorable duel then: no magic. We will rely on our wits and fight with our weapons."

Fai nearly sighed with relief when Masshiro pulled out a long katana, not unlike the ones that Kurogane favored. At least without magic, I will have a chance.

Masshiro pointed the blade directly at Fai. It was long enough that the tip lightly touched the front of his coat, although it did not pierce it. "Very well then, I accept your proposal. Either way, you will die. Draw your weapon and prepare to duel!"

Fai smiled faintly. "I have no weapons but my wit, your majesty. However, if you permit it, I'd like to take off my coat. You see, it's rather precious to me, having been made for me by my own king."

Fai wasn't quite sure what had inspired him to say that, but seeing the look on Kurogane's face made him want to run over and hug him while shouting at him for being a fool for caring about someone like himself.

Masshiro gestured impatiently at him to be on with it. Fai shed his coat and trotted quickly over to Kurogane, dropping it directly beside his face. Kurogane, still imprisoned, glanced at it briefly, eyes unreadable.

They once again took up their positions, Masshiro's sword pointed at Fai's shirt instead. "Ready?" The king demanded. Fai beamed and nodded.

"Then let us fight!" Masshiro sprang forward, obviously expecting to impale Fai right then and there without any more trouble. Fai however, had bent backwards so that his body resembled a bridge, showing off his flexibility. He kicked his legs upwards, striking the king's hands and balancing in a handstand for a moment before flipping to his feet again. Masshiro fumbled with his sword but didn't drop it, glaring instead at Fai.

Fai shrugged and smiled. He has underestimated me, as most do. Skipping around, he led Masshiro in a merry dance over several meters, taking care not to let Kurogane out of his sight but making sure he never got in the way either.

Suddenly though, just as Fai had turned around to flee yet again, Masshiro sliced outwards and caught Fai across his right shoulder blade. Letting out a small yelp, Fai instinctively spun around to face his opponent. Now, Masshiro lunged for his throat and once again pointed his sword at Fai's breast. Held fast by Masshiro's left hand that was holding his throat, Fai could do no more than feebly struggle.

Choking from lack of air, Fai released Kurogane's bonds, knowing all the while that even if he wanted to, Kurogane couldn't save him. And I can't save Kurogane. He clawed at Masshiro's arm, failing to do much damage.

"Your friend will die next," Masshiro whispered softly, eyes glinting.

Still struggling, Fai saw Kurogane racing towards them. He tried to warn him back, but no sound came out. No! Kurogane must not die! Not because of me!

He saw the red creeping across his vision and closed his eyes briefly, allowing the primal feelings and urges take over, knowing that when he opened his eyes again they would be golden.

He struck, lunging forward and snapping Masshiro's sword arm. When the king's eyes widened in fear, the beast, the monster, inside of Fai grinned and proceeded in for the kill. His left hand reach out and grabbed Masshiro by the neck, pulling him closer, closer to the vampire that screamed bloody murder because no one, no one, threatened his E like that.

He felt his claws elongating and plunged his hand into Masshiro's chest, directly into his heart. The warm blood gushed around his hand and spread around, dying the fabric a bright red.

Fai looked up as Kurogane arrived and gaped soundlessly at Fai for several moments. He was about to say something when the king opened his mouth, emitting a disgusting gurgling sound.

"You're a lot like me, you know," he rasped out, opening his eyes to look at Kurogane. Red eyes, so red. They match the color of his blood perfectly. "All I ever wanted to do was protect … I had to get stronger … always stronger … make sure I was the strongest … so I could protect who I loved most. I always failed though … everyone … left … they … all died."

Kurogane and Fai both watched silently as the king closed his eyes again, seemingly gathering his strength. "My only son died … then my wife was found sleeping with my brother." The king gave a bitter laugh, choking pathetically on his own blood. "I chained her, you know. That's when they first said … when they first said I was mad. That I had lost it. But all … I ever wanted … was to be the strongest so that … they wouldn't leave. So I could protect them … give them a happy life …"

Fai looked away, still too aware of the location of his hand in the dying man's body. His gaze wandered to Kurogane and he was mildly surprised at the distraught look on Kurogane's face. Pondering about it for a moment, Fai realized what was wrong.

He's afraid. Afraid of all the similarities … afraid that he, too, might be mad.

"Don't make my mistakes … if you love them, tell them …" He laughed again. "I can read your mind, you know … it's one of the rarest and hardest forms of magick … I taught myself so that … no one could plot around me … so if you love them …" The king started coughing, apparently wanting to say more but unable to get it out. The fever and drive in his eyes slowly dimmed and the red eyes drooped shut, never to open again.

Kurogane paced around, as Fai tried not to think too much about what he was going to do. He pulled his hand back, nearly gagging when the claws slid out of Masshiro's chest with a disgusting sound. He hastily wiped his claws on the snow, adding to the tapestry of red that had already spread around the body.

Watching Kurogane fret, Fai wondered what exactly he should say to comfort the other man. When no words immediately came to mind, he starting wondering whether or not he should even try to help the other man. Groaning internally, he mentally chided himself.

I have got to make up my mind about what I feel.

"The least we can do is give him a proper burial," Fai said at last, desperate to fill the silence. When Kurogane nodded, Fai gestured and wrote several words above the body, which then slowly sank down into the ground as if there was nothing below it. He also erected a sort of tombstone, black against the surrounding snow.

"Mage …" Fai looked at him in surprise, although he kept his face carefully blank.

I care, don't I?

"You know, at the end, his magic wasn't corrupted. The black demonic chaos had vanished, leaving behind a burning red." Fai got up and glanced at Kurogane, trying to gauge whether he was helping or not. Kurogane's face was unreadable; his gaze strangely far away. "Not unlike your eyes."

I shouldn't care. But maybe, maybe, I can afford to be selfish …

Kurogane took a step forward. "Mage …"

And if Kurogane is willing …

They stared at each other, a meter separating the two.

"If you love someone …" Kurogane stepped forward, cupping Fai's face in his rough hand and whispering. "If you love someone, tell them."

He leaned in and kissed Fai.

A/N - Ah, finally! This chapter was actually ready to be posted two days ago but I kept on forgetting -bows head in shame- It's long, long overdue. After this one, there's one more chapter in this arc. I think I can get the next chapter up before mid-September, but it's iffy because my beta is currently on vacation and I don't want to bother her ^^'

If anyone is curious about what I've been doing this entire summer, keep your eye out for a new AU fic written by me - it'll be out in September.

Thanks to all my readers who put up with my random updating - love you all! Reviews, please? :3