…HEY! Daaa dee daa dum dum DA DA! Jazz hands! Sha sha sha sha! …Okay, here's where I make lame excuses about why I haven't updated in a few centuries. Umm…there are none. So, I'm really sorry. And…If you all hate me…that's fine, too. OH! Here's a lame excuse. I'm obsessed with RENT. Eh, eh? Maybe someone out there understands. I'm actually cheating on you guys. I'm writing a RENT fic. So…yeah. Here's a lot. I was hoping that I would be able to finish the story in this chapter, but as the fates would have it (or the FAYTS! Yuck yuck…-gets shot-) I wasn't able to. So, here's just chapter 14. And I will HOPEFULLY finish the fic in chapter 15.
A/N that all must read: The SCENE OF JOY -wink wink- was helped INCREDIBLY by my older sister (who basically made it what it is), Baka-Sensei. Make sure you check out her GOOSEBERRYBUSH CHRONICLES. They're incredibly hilarious.
AND NOW if you all want the "unedited" version of the SCENE OF JOY, go to my profile. I'll put a link to it there, since it won't let me here. -smacks computer-
Be sure not togo thereif you don't like R rated guy on guy slash. But if you do…well then. Enjoy!
The King of the Dead walked quickly towards the end of the tunnel, his feet barely making a sound as they hit the cold, stone floor. He hadn't thought waking Fayt had been possible, otherwise he would have done it by himself, but all the same he congratulated himself for deciding to leave the swordsman alone with the crazed spirit.
"Now all I have to do is to find out a way to control the boy," The king thought to himself, quickening his footsteps, "then I will be unbeatable." The King of the Dead smiled to himself as he turned the last corner, coming to a stop in front of an angry Albel and a rather disheveled-looking Fayt.
"My, my," the king mused, arching his eyebrows, "Interrupt something, did I?" The king's smile broadened when he saw Fayt blush and look away, that small gesture confirming the King of the Dead's suspicion.
"What do you want?" Albel snapped, his anger apparent as he sidestepped to stand in front of Fayt.
"What makes you think I want something?" the King of the Dead asked innocently, pursing his lips as he looked from Fayt to Albel. The swordsman glared at the man standing in front of him, who was smiling sweetly at the two men.
"Umm…" Fayt muttered, putting a hand on Albel's shoulder to try to calm the vehement swordsman, "Albel, what's going on? Who is that?"
The king chuckled deeply in his throat as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I believe I told you this before, Fayt Leingod, but I am the King of the Dead. The reason why you don't remember me is probably because after I had introduced myself your mind snapped. Quite frightening, really. But now that I see you sane, I suppose you're not as scary as you were before. You're quite cute, actually," the king added, smirking when he saw Albel's shoulders tense at his last words. "Now, Fayt, if you'll kindly come with me, I have some…matters that I must discuss with you," the king cooed, his voice sounding business-like. The ever trusting Fayt nodded his head and began to walk around Albel when the older man put his arm out, blocking the teenager's way to the king. Fayt looked up at Albel quizzically to see that the swordsman wasn't paying attention to him at all, but was staring raptly at the King of the Dead.
"You can talk to Fayt here, can't you?" Albel asked, keeping his voice even.
The King of the Dead smirked, shaking a finger in Albel's direction. "You know, Albel, you are a very, very distrustful person. Can't you just have faith in someone for once?" The swordsman glared at the king as he gripped the hilt of the Crimson Scourge, readying himself for battle. The king sighed, shaking his head slightly as he saw Albel in his fighting stance, and leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed.
"I see we're going to have to do this the hard way, then," he breathed, closing his eyes and waiting for the swordsman to make his move. Albel quickly lunged towards the king, slicing his sword across the spirit's chest, but quickly recoiled when he noticed that the king was no longer there.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. Let's call it a day, hmm?" Albel's eyes widened when he heard the king's voice directly behind him, wondering how the spirit had seemingly teleported from one spot to another. Albel clenched his teeth when he felt the spirit's powerful hands grab each of his wrists, the king's left hand twisting Albel's arm so that he would drop the Crimson Scourge.
"Albel!" Fayt shouted, his voice full of panic as he ran towards the two struggling men.
"Stay back, Mr. Leingod!" the King of the Dead yelled, turning around in order to show Fayt that he had not harmed the swordsman, merely subdued him. Albel grimaced as he felt pain pulse up his arms from where the king was holding him by the wrists.
"Why are you doing this?" Fayt asked, his voice full of concern.
"Because, Mr. Leingod, you are a very important person down here in the Underworld. Because you are the embodiment of destruction, and I won't have you slip through my fingers only to let your powers rot inside of you. You have a gift, Mr. Leingod, and I'll have your gift before this day is out. Now, I suggest you listen to what I have to say before we make any rash conclusions," the king explained, seeing the look of hatred etched into Fayt's features. He had only needed to see that look once to recognize what it meant, and he couldn't have the teenager destroying him with the very power he wished to control. "Now, unless you want Mr. Nox here to be tortured senseless, I suggest you listen to me."
Fayt's eyebrows creased as he weighed his two options.
Albel knew that Fayt would be fool enough to listen to the King of the Dead, and managed to gasp out before the king choked the breath out of him once more, "Don't listen to him, Fayt!" Fayt looked pleadingly at Albel, then to the king, who had a very displeased look on his face.
"Going to listen to your lover, then?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. Fayt looked back to the swordsman's desperate face, then slowly nodded his head. "I see. We really are going to have to do this the hard way, aren't we?" the king said thinly, tightening his grip on the swordsman's wrists. "Very well, let's get this over with." The King of the Dead threw Albel to the ground, then knelt next to the swordsman before Albel could react and placed the palm of his hand on Albel's forehead. Fayt watched as Albel dragged his fingernails across the hard stone floor, the noise grating against the teenager's ears. The swordsman pulled his knees underneath him, kneeling on the floor only a few feet away from Fayt. The younger man saw a flash of pain cross Albel's features before the man grabbed fistfuls of hair as he bent over, his elbows resting on his thighs.
"What are you doing to him?" Fayt asked urgently, attempting to run towards Albel but found to his dismay that something was blocking his way to the swordsman. Fayt watched helplessly as the swordsman's face contorted into a silent scream, his eyes shut tightly as tears ran down his cheeks.
"I am forcing him to relive the worst of his memories," the King of the Dead whispered, a fascinated look on his face. "It appears that Mr. Nox has had to live through some terrible events." Albel began to scream, his voice ragged, his breaths coming in short gasps. Fayt watched helplessly as Albel's thin frame shuddered violently.
"Stop!" Fayt yelled, tears coursing down his cheeks as he watched Albel gasp for breath.
"You will do whatever I wish, then?" the king asked, leaning over once more to grab a fistful of Albel's hair, yanking the swordsman's head up so that Fayt could see the pained expression on his face.
"Yes, gods yes, just don't hurt him anymore," Fayt promised, watching as Albel collapsed to the floor.
"Thank you for cooperating so nicely!" the king said, still kneeling next to Albel's motionless body. "Now, what you need to do is to be a good boy and do whatever it is I ask of you. Don't try anything that I wouldn't want you to do, though, because if you do Mr. Nox here will wish he had never killed himself to save you." Fayt's breath caught in his throat.
"Albel killed himself…to save me?" Fayt wondered, feeling a shudder run throughout his body, "How was he planning on saving me if we're both dead?" Fayt snapped his eyes back over the king when he heard the spirit clear his throat impatiently, keeping his gaze even.
"Oh, good. I thought for a moment that you had gone crazy once again…" the King of the Dead muttered, raising an eyebrow at the teenager, "Now, to get straight to the point... What I need you to do is to be my right hand man, so to speak. I need your power to help me remain the King of the Dead. I quite like the title, you see.
"Lately there have been rebellions, the latest one just today on the fifth level. You'll find on the ninth level a sort of prison, and in this prison are…oh, I don't know…around a million or so souls. They are prisoners that I took during my rebellion against the previous King of the Dead.
"As you probably know, you are the only one who is able to make spirits in the Underworld disappear forever. I can make them disappear, but only for a short amount of time and when they reappear they are in a completely different part of the Underworld and I have to find them and, as you can see, the cycle can become quite vicious. So, the first thing I need for you to do is to destroy every last soul in the prison that is on the ninth level." the king paused here, looking at Fayt questioningly, "Will you be able to do this for me?" Fayt creased his eyebrows as he realized what the king had put before him.
"If I kill millions of innocent souls, it will be my fault. If I don't, then Albel is tortured mercilessly. It's my fault Albel's down here. Either way, there's nobody to blame but me…" Fayt felt himself go cold at this thought, remembering the swordsman's words of warning against the King of the Dead. Fayt smiled slightly, the edges of his mouth turning up in tired resignation. "I guess Albel doesn't realize that I would rather kill millions of souls than to see him suffer before my eyes, due to my own carelessness," Fayt thought sadly, turning around to face the man who was waiting keenly for an answer. Fayt nodded his head, which brought a toothy grin to the King of the Dead's face.
"Good, good," he said, nodding his head enthusiastically, "Well then, let's get started. I'm pretty sure you can destroy the spirits from up here, can't you? I mean, when you were mad, you didn't even see the spirits you destroyed, since your eyes were rolled back into your head." Fayt sneered, noticing for the first time how much the king knew of his power. He must have studied Fayt from a safe distance. "Oh, and just for safety reasons… If you try to destroy me, I am linked to Mr. Nox's soul, which will result in his destruction as well as mine." At this, the king smiled pleasantly. "Now then, on to business! Go ahead, you may start. Also, don't try to convince me that you've done your job when you haven't. Seishiki is on the ninth level, linked telepathically with me so as to inform me if you've done your job well." The King of the Dead motioned for Fayt to begin, and, leaving the teenager no other options, the blue haired boy turned his back on the two spirits and concentrated on the ninth level, searching its depth for the millions of souls he would soon destroy.
"Albel." The swordsman groaned as he opened his eyes, his vision blurry. "Don't move, Albel," the voice whispered again. Albel fought to see through the fog that still clouded his vision, seeing above him two figures. The swordsman blinked rapidly, piecing together all that had happened, the conclusion making Albel anxious.
"Albel, honey, relax. I told you not to move," the voice whispered inside of his head again. Albel looked up, seeing two spirits hovering over him.
"…mother? Father?" the swordsman breathed, not believing his eyes as he recognized the two spirits as his parents, who were long since dead. Albel's mother laid a finger to her lips, motioning for him to be quiet.
"Talk like this, dear," Albel heard his mother say, noticing that her lips weren't moving. Albel glanced frantically to his right, seeing that Fayt was in conversation with the King of the Dead, who had a hand placed to his forehead. The swordsman couldn't quite make out what they were saying, and began to fret.
"Mother, father, why are you here? What's he doing to Fayt?" Albel asked, projecting his thoughts towards the spirits of his dead parents. Albel's breathing became erratic as he looked upon the perfect image of his parents. These were the only other two people Albel had loved, and he had blamed himself for both of their deaths. The swordsman hadn't been able to save his mother from the illness that took her, and hadn't even been at her side when she passed away. He hadn't made it back to her in time to comfort her as the last of her breaths left her. Albel had caused his father's death through his foolishness. The swordsman had been fifteen years old when he had failed the Accession of the Flame after not being able to release his feelings and empathize with the spirit of the air dragon. Albel should have died that day. Instead, his father, Glou Nox, had jumped in front of Albel, shielding his son from the hot flames that would have killed him.
"Calm down, Albel," his father's stern voice sounded inside of his head, the complete opposite of his mother's soft, gentle voice, "We're here to help you."
Albel slowly calmed down, surveying the scene that was playing out in front of him. Fayt was obviously disgusted with the King of the Dead, his revulsion apparent on his face as he stared blankly at the other spirit. Albel looked over to his parents and saw that they were watching him with a curious look on their faces.
"What?" Albel snapped, seeing his parents simply smile at him in response. Glou walked to Albel's side, taking great care not to alert the King of the Dead to their presence.
"Albel," his father said, making sure that he was to the king's back, "I'm going to get the King of the Dead's attention. During that time, I want you to break the link that he has forged with you. If Apris is willing, I will have him distracted enough so that it will be easy enough for you, even though you've never dealt with this sort of thing before." Albel felt his heart skip a beat when he thought of all the things that could go wrong. His father could be forced into the same position that he was in right now. Albel could fail, making Glou sacrifice himself for nothing…again.
"Albel, are you ready?" Glou's voice brought Albel back from his thoughts, forcing the doubtful man to accept the terms that had been given him, no matter how vague. Albel watched as Glou stepped in front of the king, a white mist leaving him as soon as he was in front of the King of the Dead.
"What in the hell?" The swordsman heard the king breathe, wondering why he hadn't seen the spirit that was now in front of him before. Glou drew the long katana that was strapped to his waist and quickly sliced the blade through the air, barely missing the king's head as the King of the Dead ducked. Albel concentrated on the cool hand that was still pressed to his forehead, focusing all of his energy to breaking the link that he could feel connected to his soul. Albel smiled grimly when he heard the King of the Dead curse and lift his hand from the swordsman's forehead, his hand burning a bright red. Albel quickly jumped to his feet and drew the Crimson Scourge, the sword reacting to Albel's mood as it scraped against the sheath, creating a noise that sent chills of excitement down the swordsman's spine. Albel stood next to his father as they faced the King of the Dead, who was vainly trying to regain his composure.
"It seems there are stronger spirits in the Underworld than I had thought…" the king trailed, looking appraisingly on Glou Nox. "To stay undetected from me for so long…I hadn't thought it possible. But then again, there's a first time for everything…or so they say." The King of the Dead stood up, rubbing his hand where Albel had burned it. The swordsman looked over to Fayt, realizing for the first time that the teenager was sitting cross legged on the floor, the same distant look on his face that he had had when Albel had first found him. Albel looked over to his mother, who nodded at her son before slowly edging her way towards the blue haired boy.
"Who are you?" the king asked, looking at Glou with an interested expression on his face. Albel's father simply snorted before jumping to the left so quickly that Albel had difficulty following his movements. Glou jumped to the left of the king before using his momentum to jump forward, sliding to a stop behind the King of the Dead. The king turned around slowly, his eyes narrowed as his lips twitched into a smile. Albel stayed where he was, knowing his father well enough to recognize what Glou wanted of him. Now they had the only two possible ways of escape blocked off.
"I see," the king said thinly, keeping his gaze on Glou. "Well, if that's how it is to be, then who am I to delay this any longer?" The King of the Dead turned around quickly, putting his hand out so that his palm faced Albel. Albel furrowed his brow, wondering what exactly it was that the king was doing, until he felt something hit him in the chest, knocking him back to the ground before he could dodge. The swordsman lifted his head up off the ground, seeing that his father had taken the opportunity to attack. Glou and the King of the Dead were battling each other intensely, each warrior far exceeding the others expectations. Albel quickly stood back up, rushing in to join his father in the attack against the King of the Dead.
Albel and Glou worked perfectly together, their every move synchronized so that each opportunity to attack wasn't wasted. Albel stood to the back of the king, his chest rising and falling heavily with every breath he took. Glou was standing in front of the king no doubt analyzing the situation and planning his next attack accordingly.
Albel took the short amount of time he had to glance to his left, where his mother was now attempting to help Fayt, who had fallen unconscious as soon as Albel's mother had reached him. Apparently there were some side effects to interrupting Fayt when the teenager was trying to use his power.
An icy chuckle made Albel jerk his head back towards the king, who was practically doubled over in laughter. "Ah, Glou," he sighed, straightening to look at Albel's father, "No matter what you do, this will all be for nothing. Useless attempts to save your son. You see, Glou," he continued, smiling slyly, "I know something about your previous life that will bring about your destruction." Glou creased his eyebrows, apparently waiting for the king to continue. Albel absent mindedly took a few steps towards the King of the Dead, seeing that his father was tense and obviously ready for the next attack. "You have a flaw, Glou," the king said, stalling the attack further with his captivating words, "Do you know what that flaw is?" the King of the Dead paused, obviously waiting for an answer, then sighed when he received none, "Well, let me ask this in a sort of round-about way. Are you aware that I can make spirits disappear?" Glou inclined his head, motioning that he did, "Well, let's just see what will happen…if I do this." The King of the Dead turned sharply, extending both hands towards Albel in one swift motion. Before Albel could blink, it was all over. The king's hands were now at his sides as he smiled smugly at the confused swordsman. "That was his flaw, just as I had guessed,' he said, his voice dripping with confidence, "you." Albel felt his breath leave him as he glanced around for his
Cliff made his way slowly back towards the Castle of Aquios, glancing indifferently at the market stands that displayed various trinkets from far off lands. The Klausian had scheduled another meeting with Queen Romera, his last meeting with her leaving him cold.
Cliff watched as Fayt turned his back on him, heading back down the hallway towards Albel, who was glaring at the teenager in pure hatred. Albel was always like that, though, and Cliff rolled his eyes disgustedly at the thought. Well, if the boy was going to be stubborn, then Cliff would just have to think of another way to get him safely home.
The Klausian walked back down the hallway and towards the throne room, reminding himself of the meeting that he had made with the Queen. Cliff pulled the doors open roughly and walked down the elaborate rug that eventually led to the dais that Queen Romera's throne sat upon. Cliff found Romera sitting with a hand to her forehead, her eyebrows creased and a frightened look on her face. When the Klausian came to a stop in front of the dais, Queen Romera raised her head slowly to regard him, her eyes taking on a pleading look.
"Ah, Cliff," she sighed raggedly, her voice thin from exhaustion, "forgive me. I was lost in thought. Now, I believe you've requested an audience with me regarding your friend, Fayt."
"Yeah, er, I mean, yes, your highness. I've already spoken with the King of Airyglyph, asking him if he has seen the kid, but it seems that you've already found him. I was just gonna ask you the same, but it seems that I don't need to, anymore. So, I'm sorry for wastin' your time, your majesty," Cliff explained, bowing slowly before straightening, expecting that this would be the end of their meeting.
"Wait a moment, Cliff," the Queen said, raising her hand in the air and motioning for the Klausian to stay still, "I have learned some very disturbing facts concerning your blue haired friend…"
Cliff snapped himself out of his memories, remembering that that had been the day when he had learned of what Fayt had entangled himself in. The dead? It didn't seem real. Cliff had made a promise to himself that if Albel did anything to hurt Fayt he would personally be the one to carry out the arrogant man's death. Later on during the same day in which Cliff had found out about Albel's intent, he had run into Fayt again by some stroke of good luck. The Klausian had foolishly let his friend leave, and was now regretting it terribly.
It was already a week after his first meeting with the Queen, further annoying the impatient man. If Romera knew anything else, Cliff would be interested to know. If not, then Cliff was determined to search the entire planet to find Fayt.
Cliff ascended the long stairway that led to the upper level of the Aquarian Castle, nodding curtly to the servants and visitors that passed him by. The Klausian wasn't one for niceties, always making him feel uncomfortable when he was in the presence of a noble or royal figure. Cliff would endure much worse to save his best friend, however.
The Klausian got to the large double doors that led to the throne room, trying not to look nervous as he walked once more down the long rug to once again stand in front of the Queen. Cliff bowed slightly, straightening to see that Queen Romera was staring intently at him. The Klausian shifted nervously, searching for something to say before the Queen broke the silence that had settled over the large chamber.
"It is nice to see you again, Cliff," she said pleasantly, bringing forth a slightly tense smile from the Klausian, "Lasselle has informed me that you are here again to talk with me about Fayt. I am sorry, but I haven't learned anything new." Queen Romera bowed her head and put her fingertips together, pursing her lips as she pushed her fingers to her mouth in an uneasy gesture. Cliff bowed once again, muttering his thanks before turning to leave.
"Damn it," Cliff thought, glaring at nothing in particular, "I relied on her too much. I really thought that she would have more information for me… Now what am I gonna do?" The Klausian's thoughts were broken off by a loud shout coming from behind the doors, followed by sounds of footfalls echoing down the hallway. One of the large doors cracked open and a soldier poked his head into the room, looking both amused and uncertain.
"Your majesty," he said, glancing back down the hallway before looking back into the room, "forgive the intrusion, but there is a slight problem in the hallway…" Romera lifted her head up and creased her eyebrows, wondering what could be so important that would cause interruption for the busy Queen.
"What is it, Kimale?"
"Well, you see, there's a small boy out here who seeks an audience with your majesty…" the soldier, Kimale, trailed, looking somewhat frightened now.
"What is his reason for speaking with me?" the Queen asked, interest apparent in her voice.
"He says that he needs payment, for delivering a message. Your highness, he has Lady Nel's ring…"
"Send him in," Queen Romera said abruptly, her expression changing from interest to alarm. The door creaked open slightly and a small boy was shuffled through before the door shut behind him, making him jump. "Come closer, if you will," the Queen said, watching as the young boy walked closer to the throne. "There, now I can see you. My soldier has informed me that you have Lady Nel's ring. Explain yourself."
"I…I'm sorry, your majesty," the boy stuttered, shuffling his feet nervously, "I come from Peterny, and have only been in Aquios for a few hours. I was instructed to deliver a message to Nel Zelpher back in Peterny. The man who gave me the letter also gave me a large amount of fol, saying that Ms. Zelpher would double the amount he gave me. When I delivered the letter, however, Ms. Zelpher didn't have enough fol to pay me, so she gave me this ring instead, telling me to go to the castle, where I would receive payment from you, your majesty. Please, your majesty, I didn't mean to sound greedy. Please, have mercy on me, your majesty."
Romera smiled soothingly at the boy before speaking, "Do not fret, young one. What is your name?"
"Erik, your highness," the boy said proudly, grinning widely up at the Queen.
"Well, Erik, I will see to it that you are paid in full. How much is it that I owe you?"
"Well, your majesty, I haven't completed my end of the bargain yet. Ms. Zelpher also told me to inform you that she has gone to Peterny on urgent business," Erik said, noticing Cliff for the first time, who was standing off to the side.
"Urgent business?" Romera repeated, wondering what could divert the dedicated woman from completing the task that the Queen had already given her earlier that day. "Did she say anything else?"
"No, your highness. She muttered something to herself before she read the letter. I think she was saying a name. 'Albel', I think, is what she said." The Queen of Aquaria looked at Cliff, who wore the same expression of concern on his face that she was sure she had.
"Erik, thank you for telling me this. How much fol did I owe you?" the Queen asked, knowing that the boy had nothing more to say.
"Well, the man who gave me the letter gave me 5000 fol, so that would be…" Erik trailed, not wanting to sound presumptuous.
"10000 fol it is, then. Lasselle here," Romera said, putting a hand towards the man who was standing to her right, "will take you to our vaults, where he will get you the money I owe you. It was nice meeting you, Erik."
"Thank you, your highness!" the boy exclaimed before following Lasselle out of the room, talking animatedly to Lasselle, who was barely listening.
Queen Romera sighed and wondered how much more disturbances she could take in her already hectic life. The Queen of Aquaria looked back over to find Cliff, seeing that the man was already walking quickly towards the doors that led out of her audience chamber. The large doors slammed shut, revealing the haste in which the man had left.
"May Apris guide you," Romera whispered, her voice reflecting off of the bare walls.
Nel sat up quickly in the bed when she heard the noise coming from the common room. She had laid down only a few hours ago for a short nap, as healing Fayt and Albel had exhausted her. Nel glanced down to the floor, where the small girl was still sitting. She was waiting raptly for something, and Nel could only guess that it was for the two men to return to life. They had done all they could, though. The rest was up to Fayt and Albel.
The red haired warrior stood up from the bed and walked to the door, a familiar voice reaching her ears.
"Come on, old man. Just give me the key!" a deep, male voice sounded throughout the tavern, making Nel sigh and shake her head. This day couldn't become any stranger.
The young woman opened the door and looked down the hallway to see a large, blonde haired man making his way towards her. He stopped when he saw Nel and broke out into a smile, turning back to the flustered inn keeper and handing him the key that he had forcefully taken from him.
"Cliff," Nel sighed, "what are you doing here?"
"Now, now," the Klausian chuckled as he scratched the back of his neck nervously, "Don't be angry, Nel. Is…ah…is Albel around?" Nel stared at Cliff for a few seconds, as if weighing her options. She then hung her head and opened the door wider, allowing the Klausian entrance.
Cliff walked into the room and watched as Nel shut the door behind him. The Klausian turned around, and when he saw the bodies of his two comrades, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"W…What is this, Nel? Are they hurt?"
"No, Cliff. They're dead. They have been for the past day. Here, why don't you read these letters…" Nel replied, producing the two notes that Albel had left for her. Cliff's brow furrowed as he read the two letters, looking back up to the red haired woman when he was done.
"What does this mean? 'I think I know a way to bring him back to life'? What's that supposed to mean?" Cliff asked once he had finished reading, searching Nel's face for an answer.
Nel sighed deeply before responding, her eyes full of sorrow as she gazed upon her fallen comrades. "I don't know, Cliff. I can't make any sense of it, either. You know as much as I do, by now. I've done my part. They're healed. Now all we can do is wait for them to return." Cliff's eyes fell heavily upon the two bodies, his mind in an uproar. If only he hadn't let Fayt leave…
The Klausian turned around sharply and leaned his back against the wall, slowly sliding down into a sitting position. He didn't know how Fayt had died, but he was pretty sure that it had something to do with Albel.
"If…no…When those two get back, I'm gonna kill Albel. This time, though, I'll make sure he won't be able to come back…" Cliff thought angrily as he stared at the body of his best friend.
Maria looked up from her place at the table when she heard Mirage's communicator go off. Mirage motioned for a moment, and Maria nodded. Standing up from the table at the restaurant, Mirage weaved her way in between the many tables until she was standing in front of the doors that led to the brightly lit sidewalks. Taking her communicator in hand, Mirage pushed a button and Cliff's worried face came into view.
"Cliff? What's wrong?" Mirage asked, worried for her younger brother's safety.
"Mirage, I've got some bad news…" he trailed, staring at something in front of him.
"What? What is it, Cliff?" The young woman repeated, wanting to know the cause of the usually solid man's distress. Mirage watched as Cliff's breath became uneven, his large gulps of air becoming more erratic. The Klausian woman saw a sheen of sweat covering Cliff's forehead, and could have sworn it looked as if the large man were holding back tears.
"Mirage, Fayt and Albel are dead," he said bluntly, looking for the first time into the communicator that he was holding so that his eyes stared directly into Mirage's.
"Wha…dead?" Mirage asked, her voice a whisper as she felt the air rush out of her lungs.
"Yeah, but Nel says that Albel knows a way to bring them back to life. I dunno, but I think that sounds a little far-fetched. Nel has faith in him, though. Mirage, you and Maria should probably come here so that if he doesn't wake up…"
"Y…yes. Alright, I'll bring Maria and Sophia. Where are you?"
"Peterny, at a small inn. It's on the road that heads east. I think it's called The Peddler. Hurry, sis, 'cause I don't know what's going to happen."
Mirage nodded slightly, taking a deep gulp of air as she felt her stomach plunge. The young woman flipped the communicator off and turned around, making her way back to the table.
Mirage, Maria and Sophia had all gone out to dinner, celebrating Sophia's birthday. The young girl didn't remember when her birthday was, but luckily Maria had remembered from previous conversations with Sophia that it was April 21st, which was today. They had taken the girl out for a festive celebration, but now the merriment was shattered with just one phone call.
When Mirage got back to the table, a heavy air fell over the light conversation Maria had been making with Sophia. Maria looked over to Mirage with a concerned expression coming over her face.
"Mirage? Who was that?" The blue haired girl asked, meaning the person who had called her on her communicator. Mirage sat back down in her chair and leaned her elbows on the table, putting her head in her hands. The Klausian wouldn't cry. No, her breeding ensured that she was too strong to show such emotions. Instead, Mirage lifted her head to stare directly at Maria, her voice slightly wavering as she sought out ways to tell them.
"It was Cliff. He called to tell me something…" Mirage trailed, still not sure on how to break the news to them.
"Tell you…what?" Maria leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table. Sophia looked from Maria to Mirage, then back again. She was confused as to who Cliff was.
"He called to say that…Fayt and Albel are….dead."
"Dead? How?" Maria breathed, leaning back in her seat and putting a hand to her mouth.
"I don't know. He gave me his location, though. He wants us to meet him at the inn they are staying at. They're in Peterny…" Mirage looked directly into Maria's dark green eyes, seeing a darker tint of green underlying the first. Whenever Maria got that look, things didn't go well. Sitting back in her chair, Maria crossed her arms over her stomach and looked to the left, looking at nothing in particular. Fayt had been like a brother to her, and some of their friends thought that it was even possible for the two to be twins. They had never found out, however, but the bond between them was strong, none could deny that. Maria's ears began to ring as a sharp headache began to form, the pain spreading from her temples and throughout her forehead. Albel, in Maria's opinion, wasn't the most enjoyable person to be around, but she certainly didn't want to see him dead. And now they were both dead…
The blue haired teenager hastily wiped the tears that she found running down her cheeks away, snapping her gaze back over her friend. Sitting here crying wasn't going to help anyone, Maria decided.
"Alright. You ready our ship. I'll get our things packed and we'll be off of this rock in no time flat." Mirage nodded to Maria's commands, seeing the teenager slip back into her 'Leader of Quark' mode. Maria then turned to Sophia and took her small hand in her own. "Come on, Sophia. We're going on a trip and we might not be coming back for a while. You need to pack, so let's go back to your apartment first." Sophia looked excitedly to Mirage, who smiled encouragingly at the young teenager.
"Really? Where are we going?" Sophia chirped, clapping her hands together in front of her chest as she barely contained her excitement.
"Follow me, I'll tell you as we walk." Maria stood up from the table and Sophia immediately followed. The blue haired teenager nodded curtly to the young Klausian woman before making her way to the restaurant's exit.
Albel felt himself go cold at the thought of his father sacrificing himself so that he, his only son, might continue on. Looking back to the smug king, Albel tightened the grip on his katana.
"Really, I thought Glou would have seen that coming. Apparently he's not as smart as I first perceived him to be…" the King of the Dead said airily, as if he were talking to himself. Albel snarled as he rushed towards the other spirit, the tip of his katana leading the way. The swordsman was consumed with rage as he slashed, blocked, and dodged the King of the Dead's attacks. He only stopped when he heard stirring behind him.
"Albel?" a familiar voice asked, the swordsman's breath catching in his throat when he recognized it as Fayt's. The fool was alright. Albel glanced to his left where the blue haired teenager was just getting up from the ground, his mother allowing Fayt to use her for support.
"Oh, wonderful! Truly, this is a splendid day. Not only did I get to get rid of one of the peskier spirits down here, but now I finally can resume my work with Mr. Leingod," the king said, a hint of uncertainty creeping into the cocky man's voice.
Albel's eyes widened as he heard a second sword being drawn, then a grim smile crept across his face when he saw Fayt out of the corner of his eye, standing next to him. The teenager had drawn the broadsword that was still strapped across his hip, and was now readying himself for battle. Albel cast a sidelong glance at the boy next to him and grinned, anxious for the battle to come. Fayt looked over to the swordsman and smiled meekly, obviously not feeling entirely well from his previous mishap.
"Now, this is unfair," the king pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "two against one. I suppose that means that I'll just have to get rid of one of y…!" Before the King of the Dead could finish his last sentence, though, Albel and Fayt were already rushing towards him, one on either side. The King of the Dead turned to face Fayt, as he saw the teenager as a greater threat. Fayt winced as he felt something pressing on his chest, a pressure that began to spread throughout his entire body. The pressure suddenly lifted, and Fayt glanced up to see the King of the Dead hunched over and clutching his chest, the tip of Albel's katana piercing through his heart. The king began to make choking sounds, as if something was blocking his windpipe. Fayt walked closer to the King of the Dead, his brow furrowing as he realized the amount of pain the man must be in.
"Leingod, get away from him," the teenager heard Albel growl roughly, though he paid him no heed. He should help the man who was in pain…so much pain...
"Fayt! Stay away from him!" Albel yelled, grunting as he attempted to dislodge his sword from the king's chest. It shouldn't be this hard to cut through flesh… Albel looked down, realizing that what he was cutting wasn't flesh. The King of the Dead wasn't of flesh and blood. The swordsman's eyes widened when he saw that the king had constricted his spirit around the katana, holding the sharp blade in place. Sweat fell from Albel's brow as he glanced hurriedly back to Fayt, who was at arms length from the King of the Dead.
"Fayt!" the swordsman yelled one last time, gripping the hilt of the Crimson Scourge tightly before pulling heavily on it. Fayt couldn't hear Albel's last plea as he moved closer and closer to the spirit who was in so much pain. He should help him. Why was the spirit in pain? The man behind him, with the katana. He was the source of the spirits pain.
Fayt quickly moved behind both of the spirits, waiting until the man in front of him turned around. When he did, the teenager punched him, his knuckles cracking against the other spirit's jaw. Albel fell back as Fayt punched him, his bewilderment apparent in his expression. What was wrong with Fayt?
The King of the Dead turned about quickly and grabbed Fayt by the wrist, the young man gasping underneath the cold man's touch. Fayt blinked several times, feeling the vagueness leaving his mind. He hadn't wanted to punch Albel. It hadn't been him. The King of the Dead had invaded his mind, taking control of the confused teenager's body for a moment. Fayt gasped as he realized this and took a step towards Albel, who was glaring up at the two spirits from his arrangement on the ground. A sharp tug on his wrist brought Fayt back to his previous position, the King of the Dead still holding onto his wrist tightly.
"Please, don't try anything like that again," the King of the Dead implored, looking from Albel to Fayt, who was also glaring heatedly at the man who was holding him captive. Fayt could tell that, although the man was only holding onto him with one hand, there was no possible way of escaping. He could feel the other man's soul entering his body through his wrist, freezing him in place. The only way to break the King of the Dead's power over Fayt was to break the connection, or by separating the king's hand from his wrist.
"Ah ah ah!" the king scolded, shaking his head as Albel began to get up from the ground, "Stay there for now, if you would be so kind. Let me just inform you that if you do anything to displease me, your lover here won't be far behind your father. You don't have enough time to be waiting around for him to reappear, now do you? I believe that you only have another day before the portal closes and you two are forever lost to the living world, as everyone else down here is. Yes, yes I know of your little plan, Mr. Nox. It was very bold of you. And you came so close, too. Such a shame that you won't be able to succeed…" the king smiled broadly at the swordsman, who was doing his best not to throttle the other man. A stirring behind the King of the Dead caught Albel's attention, but he quickly looked back to the king, not wanting to give away that there was something behind him. The King of the Dead was talking again, but the swordsman wasn't listening. He was trying to focus on the thing that he had seen out of the corner of his eye, listening for any slight noise that it might make. Nothing betrayed its presence behind the arrogant spirit, and Albel began to doubt that he had actually seen anything. His doubts were soon erased when he saw his mother appear behind the king, who was still talking. Very quickly she reached to his wrist and grabbed it, squeezing it and twisting at the same time until a loud 'crack' emanated throughout the chamber. The King of the Dead howled as he lifted his broken wrist to his face, examining the damage that the woman had done. Fayt took the opportunity to jump away from the king, moving to stand next to Albel, who was already on his feet. The swordsman looked to his mother and nodded thankfully. If she hadn't been there, both Fayt and Albel would have been in trouble.
Fayt glanced to Albel and put his hand out slightly, his left hand grazing the swordsman's right. Albel looked over to the boy and immediately knew that the teenager meant to end the battle within the next attack. The swordsman nodded curtly before looking to his mother, who was still standing behind the king as he bent over his broken wrist. Icy laughter filled the tunnel as the King of the Dead stood up, his arm healing quickly before their eyes.
"A slight setback," the king said, motioning to Fayt who was no longer under his control, "However, there isn't a chance that you will win. Now, please, let us finish this so that I may get back to my original plans."
Albel knew that all he had to do was occupy the king's attention so that Fayt could use his powers to destroy him. This seemed to be easier said than done, however, since Albel had seen the King of the Dead fight before, knowing that he was capable of attacking multiple targets at once. The swordsman sneered slightly as he ran towards the king, executing an assault that left him frighteningly open to attack. Albel knew that the King of the Dead would take this advantage over him and focus all of his energy on him. At the last moment, Albel glanced over his shoulder to Fayt, who was already sitting on the floor with the familiar blue light swirling around him. The swordsman grimaced as he felt the king's attack, the impact knocking him back against the wall. Albel opened his eyes just in time to see the blue light begin to rotate around the King of the Dead, who was looking at it in horror. This couldn't be happening to him! He was the King of the Dead! Albel smiled malevolently as he watched the light lace in and out of the other spirit's essence, the look on the king's face unchanging. A loud noise in Fayt's direction diverted Albel's attention, and the swordsman looked over just in time to see a blur rush past the teenager, knocking him over in its haste. Albel quickly stood up and got into his fighting stance, wondering what it was this time.
Seishiki quickly ran down the tunnel, hearing sounds of a battle up ahead. He had left his 'station' on the ninth level when he realized what would befall his king. He couldn't allow them to kill the King of the Dead… They didn't understand.
Coming to a quick halt, Seishiki quickly took in the situation. Albel was distracting the king as Fayt used his powers to destroy him. Seishiki couldn't allow that to happen. The spirit watched as Albel was knocked back by the king's attack, then ran quickly towards the King of the Dead, knocking Fayt over as he ran past him. The blue light that had previously been swirling in, out, and around the king's spirit disappeared, leaving only pain behind. The King of the Dead crumpled to the floor as soon as the blue light had left him, groaning slightly as the after-effects of Fayt's powers laced through his soul. Seishiki looked over to find Albel was already standing and had his katana firmly in his grip. Fayt was still on the ground, apparently out cold. Knowing that Albel wouldn't wait to listen to an explanation, Seishiki quickly turned around and watched the King of the Dead writhe on the ground. Summoning some of his powers, Seishiki extended both of his palms towards the writhing king, keeping his thoughts on what he intended to do, not on the swordsman to his left, who was running towards him with the intention to kill. In a bright flash of white the spirit's powers were released, engulfing the tunnel in light. Albel stopped running briefly as he waited for the light to dissipate. When it did, Albel found to his amazement that the King of the Dead was no longer there, but only one spirit who was standing with his hands behind his back, a frightened look on his face.
"Who are you, old man?" Albel sneered, keeping his distance as the old spirit in front of him began to shuffle his feet nervously.
"A friend, nothing more," he said simply, then motioned to Fayt, who was still lying on the ground. Albel glanced to the old spirit once more, a twinge of recognition making him hesitate before he went to Fayt's side, attempting to wake the teenager.
Albel had been trying to wake Fayt for the past five minutes, and had been toying with the idea of kicking the teenager awake when Fayt finally came to. Fayt blinked a few times before realization dawned on him and he hurriedly sat up, almost hitting his head against Albel's if it wasn't for the swordsman's quick reflexes.
"Albel, what happened? Where's the King of the Dead? Is he defeated? Did we win? Are you hurt? Am I hur…?" Albel quickly covered the boy's mouth with his hand, attempting to stem off the flow of questions that began to pour out of Fayt's mouth.
"Be quiet, fool. Your incessant prattling is giving me a headache." Albel put a hand to his head to pretend he was in pain, but when he saw Fayt's bright green eyes glaring at him over the top of his hand he snorted in amusement. "I don't know any more than you do. If you hadn't fainted…again…I might have been able to question the spirit that is standing behind you." Fayt turned around and gasped in surprise as he recognized the spirit.
"The chief elder from the village…?" he whispered, very confused as to what happened the few moments he had been knocked out. Albel nodded as he recognized the man, too. So that's who he was. The old spirit sighed and visibly sagged as if some great weight were weighing down his shoulders.
"I fear I have much to confess and explain," he said, sadness apparent in his shaking voice. Albel's shoulders tensed as the old man lifted his gaze, a familiar tint in those cold eyes that he had seen before…
"You!" Albel hissed, pushing Fayt behind him as he rose to a fighting stance. He would never forget the eyes of the man who had killed Fayt, even if he lived a thousand years. The old spirit put his hands up in a peaceful gesture, motioning that he did not want to fight.
"Albel, what are you doing?" Fayt murmured from behind Albel's back, wondering what had gotten into the older man.
"This is the man who killed you," Albel said bluntly, hearing a sharp intake of breath behind him.
"What are you talking about? The man who killed me was young…" the teenager trailed, confusion spreading across his boyish features.
A ragged sigh from the old man brought the attention back to him, and he said in a feeble voice, "He's right, Fayt. I am…or, was…the man who brought you into this world. Though I was in a different form at the time, the fact remains that I am the one who killed you."
"Bastard…" Albel snarled, moving forward to attack, but stopped when he felt a small hand on his upper arm.
"Wait, Albel. I want to hear what he has to say," Fayt stated calmly, though he was everything but. Seishiki bowed his head and began to tell his tale, starting with the time when he helped the King
of the Dead and ending when he got to where he killed Fayt.
"I went mad from the other's soul trying to reclaim its body. I know I must have caused both you
and Albel great pain. I am sorry." Fayt smiled softly and put a reassuring hand on the old man's
shoulder.
"It's alright," he said, "I forgive you." A loud snort from Albel made Fayt glare at the swordsman,
but he simply shrugged.
"Even if you forgive him, I won't," the swordsman declared, making Fayt scowl, then turn back to
the old spirit.
"I don't understand, though," the teenager began, "why did you interrupt my destroying the King of the Dead permanently when all you can do is make him disappear for a short while?" At this the old man smiled bitterly, sending chills down Fayt's spine.
"'He who defeats the King of the Dead is doomed to become him,'" the old spirit seemingly quoted, then looked up to meet Fayt's level stare. "In other words, if I had let you kill the king, you would have had to stay down here for the rest of eternity as the King of the Dead until some other spirit took over. I did it to redeem myself, and to hopefully set right all the things that I have done wrong." Fayt nodded at this when a thought struck him.
"Does that mean that now you're…?"
"…the new King of the Dead? Yes," he sighed, finishing Fayt's sentence for him, "I'm afraid so. I avoided the title before, but I guess there is no escaping it for me."
Fayt fell silent for a few moments, thinking about all of this new information he had just been given. "What an adventurous life I lead," Fayt thought and smiled, relieved in part that this extended journey was almost at an end.
Fayt looked over to Albel when he heard someone clear their throat, and saw to his surprise a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties or early thirties. She was smiling pleasantly at Fayt, who looked to Albel for clarification.
"This is my mother, Kacelia Nox," Albel introduced when he saw all faces turned to him expectantly. Albel's mother held her hand out and Fayt shook it gently.
"Um, hello, Mrs. Nox. I'm Fayt…Fayt Leingod. Your son aided me greatly in the battle for our galaxy."
Albel snorted and said snidely, "You don't have to be so polite, Leingod. It's just my mother." Fayt glared at Albel, but when he saw the look on Albel's face he knew that the man was in more pain than he wanted to admit after seeing his dead parents seemingly resurrected. Fayt began to walk towards Albel, but stopped when Albel's mother put an arm out to stop him.
"Let me," she said in a firm, clear voice, and Fayt had no choice but to nod.
Albel felt the guilt crushing him. He couldn't breathe. How could he even face his parent's spirits? He had been the one responsible for their deaths. Albel turned around when he felt his mother's presence behind him and held his emotions in check, not wanting to seem weak.
"Albel, dear," his mother sighed lovingly as she placed her hand on his cheek, 'I know all that you have been thinking these past years. I know the guilt and blame you place on yourself for your father's death, and for my death as well. It's not your fault that we died, Albel."
"No, mother, it is my fault. You don't understand. You were already dead when father…"
"I know, dear. Your father has both told and shown me what happened on that day. He wants you to know that he doesn't blame you, so you shouldn't blame yourself. Both of us were willing to give up our lives for you from the moment of your birth, not because we wanted you to live the rest of your life in misery, but because we love you, dear, and we want you to live a happy life…with whoever it is that you fall in love with," his mother added, casting a sly glance over her shoulder at Fayt, who was once again in conversation with Seishiki. Albel straightened slightly, turning his head to the side so that he might hide the color that was rising in his cheeks. "Listen to me, Albel," his mother continued, turning the young man's head so that he was looking at her again, "Do you know why your father gave up his life so many years ago to save yours?"
"It doesn't matter why he did it. I forever was and always will be his weakness." His mother gently shook her head before she responded.
"No, Albel. He gave up his life for you because he loves you. He has told me that he always knew you would be better than him one day. He said that you would surpass him in not only swordsmanship, but he always told me that you would be the better man. He's very proud of you, Albel, and I know that in life he never expressed his emotions, but he does love you."
"Tch," Albel scoffed, his gaze turning cold, "'the better man?' Mother, I've killed thousands of people, more than a few of them innocent. I don't know what father was talking about, but he's wrong about me."
"Don't think your father was perfect, Albel, because he wasn't. He had his faults, just as you do yours. The reason you aren't able to go beyond this downward spiral of self hatred is because you won't forgive yourself. Let it go, dear. Everyone has forgiven you but yourself." Albel looked at his mother for a long moment, desperately wanting to believe her words, but scared to. He knew his mother wouldn't lie to him, but he was still hesitant to change what he had been telling himself for over the past eight years. Albel bowed his head and crossed his arms over his stomach as he tried to make sense of all that his mother had told him. Kacelia smiled softly at her son before pulling him into a warm hug, her arms wrapped around his lithe form. At first, the grown man in him resisted, but then Kacelia felt him give in as he hugged her back briefly before dropping his arms to his side. Albel's mother stepped away from her son and took a moment to see the adult her small child had turned into. He hadn't changed much. His attitude, from what she could tell, hadn't left him, and he still kept his hair the same, both style and color. He had grown tall, his short arms and legs replaced by long, slender ones. The only thing that seemed different about him were his eyes, those same blood red eyes somehow changed by years of isolation, whether it was through his own choosing or not.
"Your father regrets that he never let you know that he loved you," she commented, her gaze never leaving him, "Never hesitate to tell those you love that you love them. You will regret it for the rest of your life if you don't." Albel scowled at her from beneath his bangs and Kacelia chuckled. She knew he wouldn't take to her motherly advice kindly. She noticed that Albel was looking over her shoulder and she turned around to find Fayt and Seishiki waiting patiently for them to be done.
"Seishiki's told me where we ought to be able to find the portal that leads out of the Underworld. We can leave whenever you're ready," Fayt said quietly, implying that there was no rush. Albel, however, had had his fill of the Underworld and now wanted nothing more than to be with Fayt back in the realm of the living, where things made sense. Kacelia sensed her son's anxiousness and placed a hand on his shoulder to command all of his attention.
"Live a life of no regrets; this is all that we ask of you. Goodbye, dear." Kacelia pulled him into a brief hug, whispering her love before disappearing all together, not wanting her only son to see the tears that were flowing freely down her face.
Albel stood still for a moment after his mother left him, reflecting on all that she had told him. The swordsman glanced up when he saw movement out of the corner of his eyes and looked over to see Fayt walking slowly towards him.
"…you alright?" the teenager asked after a brief moment of silence. Albel looked at Fayt and smiled ruefully when he heard the blue haired boy gasp. His normally crimson eyes were darkened with sorrow, his usually bright irises looked dead.
"Yeah…" Albel said in answer to Fayt's question. His voice hoarse as he found to his surprise his throat had constricted.
"Albel…" Fayt said quietly, closing the distance between them and raising his arms to wrap them around the tall man in a warm embrace. Albel, however, pushed Fayt away from him, instantly regretting it when he saw the look of shock on the teenager's face.
"It's not…I just…" Albel groped for the right words to say, but gave up and just sighed instead. The older man took a few steps to stand in front of Fayt, and, gently tipping the teenager's head up, bent over and kissed him quickly on the lips. "Can we just go?" the swordsman sighed, altogether too tired to explain to Fayt that he didn't like to be hugged, since it seemed like a useless gesture to him. Fayt grinned up at Albel and nodded.
"Yeah, let's get out of here," he agreed, turning around to Seishiki once more, only to find that the man had busied himself with looking at the paintings that covered the tunnel's walls. "Thanks for all the help you've been," Fayt said politely, bowing slightly.
"No, it is I who should be thanking you. Not only for your forgiveness, but for opening my eyes to the evils of our king. When he regenerates, I will see to it that he is locked up for eternity. Have a safe journey, and, if the gods are willing, may we see each other once again, as allies, not enemies."
Albel chuckled deeply in his throat and said under his breath, but still loud enough so that the old spirit would hear, "Don't count on it." Seishiki nodded sadly and bowed his head before disappearing before them, as Albel's mother had done.
"That was uncalled for," Fayt said angrily. Albel looked into the younger man's bright green eyes for a moment before smirking.
"Whatever," he said dismissively. Fayt was about to say something when Albel began to walk away from him. "Let's go home," the swordsman said over his shoulder, making Fayt smile as he ran to catch up with him.
"Do you feel that?" Fayt asked, staring into the darkness to the left of him. They had been walking for a few hours, following the directions that the new King of the Dead had given them, when they finally came upon the portal that would supposedly take them to the living world. They were just about to enter the portal when Fayt felt a strange sensation, almost like something tugging at the edges of his mind.
"No, what?" Albel asked impatiently, his voice echoing down the long tunnel. Fayt walked towards the right wall and found to his amazement that there was another tunnel that had previously been hidden in shadow.
"Albel…there's a tunnel here," the teenager stated as he began to walk down it as if compelled by something.
"Leingod, where exactly are you going? The portal's right here!" Albel sighed, a little annoyed at the way his companion seemed to delay them.
"Just wait for me, Albel. I'll be back in a few minutes." Albel cursed and began to walk quickly after Fayt. Like hell he would ever let the boy out of his sight again.
At the end of the tunnel was a large chamber, big enough to hold a thousand people, still with room to move about. Albel watched as Fayt scanned the room, obviously looking for something.
"Someone's here…" the teenager muttered almost to himself. Quite suddenly a spirit appeared in front of the two men and Albel reflexively reached for his katana, but stopped when Fayt put out a hand.
"Sophia?" the blue haired boy breathed, braking out into a cold sweat as the young girl reached out to place her fingertips on Fayt's temples. The teenager fell to the floor as Sophia's soul completely melded with his.
"Fayt…" Sophia's voice whispered into his mind, sounding both sad and relieved.
"Sophia? Why are you here? You're not dead…" Fayt thought, knowing that since their spirits were one for the time being that they would be able to communicate without actually speaking.
"No, Fayt. Only half of me is alive. That day after we defeated Luther…a part of me died that day."
"Sophia, I'm sorry…it's all my fault…" Fayt said quietly, knowing that he was the cause of her sadness.
"Don't be, Fayt. When you and Albel were walking down the tunnel that eventually connects to this room, I heard your thoughts about going back to the realm of the living. I called out to you, desperately hoping that you would hear me and listen. Thank God that you heard me, or else I'd be stuck down here forever. There is a way for me to return to my normal self, and that is by fusing our souls together. I've already done this, so all you have to do is get us through the portal, where I will be able to reenter my body and become myself again. Don't you see, Fayt? Everything can be set right again!" the small girl exclaimed, making Fayt smile slightly.
"Don't worry, Sophia," he whispered, "I won't let you down." Fayt opened his eyes to see Albel staring down at him curiously.
"That's the third time you've fainted," he commented, watching as he teenager got to his feet.
"Thanks for keeping score. I appreciate it," Fayt responded sarcastically, bringing an amused smile to Albel's face.
"No problem. Now, shall we get the hell out of this thrice cursed place or is there another small detour you would like to take?"
"Detour? Didn't you see Sophia?" Fayt asked, receiving a blank stare from Albel.
"I saw something that resembled the form of a human, nothing more. Though if you say it was Sophia, then I'd have to say that the Underworld did some good for her. She's much easier to look at now…" Albel replied, his voice full of amusement as he watched Fayt glare at him.
"Okay, very funny. Let's get going," the teenager said curtly as he turned around to walk back to the portal.
Once again Fayt found himself facing the circular portal with Albel standing closely next to him. The blue haired boy took a deep breath before asking, "Do we just…walk through?" Albel shrugged in reply, and Fayt began to walk towards the glowing circle, knowing Albel was close behind him.
Fayt felt pinpricks of warmth on his face, and gasped when his whole body was suddenly flooded with heat. The teenager felt Sophia detach herself from his soul, the emptiness she left behind quickly replaced by the warmth that was almost becoming unbearable. When Fayt felt he could take no more of the soon becoming painful heat, he opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, and as he gave his eyes time to adjust, he noticed that he was staring at what seemed to be a wooden ceiling. No stone walls…
Fayt sat up quickly and almost fell back over when the room began to spin. Suddenly there was a loud shout, and then more noise followed as people rushed to his side, friendly hands helping him to his feet and patting him on the back. Cliff, Nel, Maria, Mirage … they were all there, waiting for him. He had done it. He was alive again. He was home. Fayt looked over expecting to find Albel in the same situation he was in, but didn't see him.
"Albel?" he whispered, looking back down to the floor, his joy at being alive again quickly shattered by the sight of Albel's still lifeless body.
Albel quickly followed Fayt through the portal as soon as the small boy's form disappeared into the glowing light. As soon as he reached the portal, however, he found to his dismay that it was blocked by something, denying him access to the living world. The portal darkened and began to swirl, dark, weaving patterns being formed that reminded Albel of one swirling a glass of wine before placing it on the table to settle. The patterns began to slow as something stepped through the portal, and as Albel quickly drew his katana he watched as the thing began to take shape.
A small girl stood before Albel, staring up at him without fear. The swordsman quickly sheathed the Crimson Scourge and gazed quizzically at the girl, noticing that while she didn't look like anybody he knew, he recognized her from somewhere… It struck him that who she reminded him of was himself. She had the same blood red eyes that he had, full of suspect and grief.
"Who are you?" the swordsman asked, watching as the small girl walked towards him.
"My name is Shimeru. I am the daughter of Aritomo and Hakari Nox," the girl stopped walking to stand in front of Albel, who was still wary of her. "My mother's last name was Eichi. We are cousins, Albel." Albel felt his heart skip a beat as he searched his memory for any proof to back up what she was saying. His mother had mentioned an aunt once or twice, her sister, but this was the first time that he had heard anything about a cousin. Albel focused once again on the small girl.
"I have been dead for many years now. I came here not to bore you with my life's story, but to tell you that I know of the illness that took your mother's life. The same illness took my life, though I never suffered from the disease.
"When I was eight, I heard of an Aunt Kacelia who was going to die soon. My mother was dying of the very same disease. It's in our blood, Albel. The disease that killed your mother was passed to you even as she bore you in her womb. Before I died, I had been practicing Runology. My biological father wasn't Aritomo Nox, but a runologist from Aquios who visited Airyglyph during peaceful times. I inherited some of his skills, and spent months trying to come up with a cure for this disease. At last I finally found the cure, but before I could find you and your mother to heal you, my life was ended by my own mother, driven to insanity by her paranoia.
"I failed you on that day, but Apris has given us another chance. A few days ago, I stumbled upon a portal that took me to the living realm, only to find the very cousin I had failed so many years before. I have already chased the illness out of your blood, but now I must be allowed to cleanse your mind. Those months I was searching for the cure left me dumbfounded because although I had cured my body, the disease was still present. I couldn't figure out how my body could be completely healed, and yet I was still sick. I finally realized that not only does the disease inhabit our body, but our minds as well. It's more like a curse, really, though its origin I wasn't able to uncover." The girl paused for breath, giving Albel time to try and makes sense of what he'd been told. "I don't wish to take up much more of your time. I'm sure you would much rather be alive again and with those you love. So, please, if you will allow it I will heal you quickly and then be gone soon enough." Albel stared at the remarkable young girl and nodded. Shimeru smiled and walked closer to Albel, motioning for him to kneel down. The swordsman did so and felt her cool palm on his forehead.
Blue light swirled around the two of them as Shimeru used Runology to cleanse Albel's soul of the curse that had been placed on the Eichi family line generations ago. Albel could feel the Runology spreading throughout his soul as Shimeru searched for the curse. Albel closed his eyes tightly when a sharp, stinging pain forged its way through his spirit. When the pain ebbed, Albel opened his eyes again to find that the girl had vanished. The swordsman stood up and stretched, noticing that he didn't feel any different. Albel turned back to the portal, wondering if maybe he had imagined the small spirit who claimed to be his cousin. Suddenly remembering her crimson eyes, so like his own, Albel knew that she had been real.
Albel slowly opened his eyes, his vision swirling in front of him as he struggled to keep his eyes open.
"Albel?" the swordsman heard Fayt ask uncertainly, then looked to his right to see the young boy kneeling over him. Albel sat up and looked around the room, familiar faces staring back at him.
"It's nice to see that you're safe, Albel," Mirage offered, extending her hand to help the swordsman to his feet.
"Bah," Albel mumbled, ignoring Mirage's proffered hand as he climbed to his feet on his own. Fayt stood up next to him and listened to the clamor that had risen around him; Maria asking if he was alright, Mirage asking what had happened, and Nel standing off to the side as she added her comments every now and then. The only two he didn't see were Cliff and Sophia.
"Where's Sophia?" Fayt asked, remembering how he had met up with her in the Underworld. Mirage and Maria abruptly stopped talking and everyone turned around to find that Sophia was lying on the ground toward the back of the room. The attention turned from Fayt to Sophia as everyone gathered around the young girl, all, that is, with the exception of Cliff and Albel, the latter looking on with mild interest.
"What the hell happened?" Cliff asked Albel, the swordsman switching his gaze to the Klausian.
"What do you mean?" Albel asked innocently, raising an eyebrow as he stared at the short tempered man.
"You know what I mean," Cliff growled, digging his nails into the palms of his hands as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
"And why should I tell you?" Albel inquired, apparently amused by Cliff's anger. "Or perhaps," the swordsman continued when the Klausian said nothing, "you're just jealous because Fayt abandoned you for one such as I?" Cliff glared heatedly at Albel as the swordsman was speaking, blood dripping onto the floor from where his fingernails broke the skin on his palms. As soon as Cliff heard Albel's last words and saw the smug look on his face, he lost all control as he pulled his fist back and, in one swift motion, cracked his knuckles against Albel's jaw. The force of Cliff's punch sent the swordsman crashing into the wall that was a few feet behind him.
"That felt good," Cliff said cheerfully as he watched Albel wipe blood away from his mouth. Albel stood up and gripped the hilt of his katana as Cliff readied himself for a fight. By now the other occupants of the room had once again switched their attention, this time to the progressing fight.
"Stop!" Fayt yelled as he saw the two ready themselves for battle, running to stand in front of Albel. "Cliff, what the hell are you doing?" the teenager snarled angrily.
"What do you mean what the hell am I doing? He's the one who got you killed!" Cliff retorted, confused when he saw Fayt's strong reaction.
"Who told you that?" Fayt asked, dropping his glare. Cliff's eyes widened as he realized that he had just assumed that Albel had had a part in Fayt's death.
"Well, nobody, really…I just…" the Klausian stammered, realizing how brash he had been.
Albel moved out from behind Fayt and walked to the door. Opening it he said, "As you all can see, Fayt and I are both perfectly fine. You may leave." Everyone stared at Albel before sounds of protest could be heard throughout the room. Albel listened for a moment before losing all of what little patience he had. "Get the hell out," he snarled, silencing the room at once before Nel walked out, knowing that things would get bloody if Albel the Wicked didn't get what he wanted. Cliff walked over to Sophia, who was still on the floor, and picked her up gently before walking over to the door, glaring at Albel before he left as well. Mirage and Maria followed, and not before long everybody but Albel and Fayt were left.
"Albel, they were worried about us. You didn't have to kick them out," Fayt protested, watching as the swordsman rinsed his mouth out with water from the pitcher, the water that he spit back into the basin having a red tint to it.
"For what I plan to do shortly, I did," Albel replied matter-of-factly, marveling at the way it shut the teenager up. The swordsman put a finger to his face where Cliff had hit him and put pressure on it, wincing as pain shot up his jaw. The man may be daft, but he could throw one hell of a punch. Albel walked to where he had discarded the Crimson Scourge, his claw and his sack what seemed like an eternity ago and began to look through his sack for something. He pulled out a jar and set it on the table, opening it with on flick of his wrist and dipping two fingers into what Fayt assumed to be a healing salve. The swordsman brought the thick substance out and spread it evenly on his jaw, feeling the salve begin to work as warmth truckled up his jaw line. Albel rubbed the leftover healing salve between his thumb and index finger curiously before glancing over to Fayt, a hungry gleam in his eyes.
Fayt gulped and backed away from Albel as the swordsman stalked closer. Those crimson eyes gazed at him so intently he felt like a mouse cornered by a starving cat. The teenager backed up as far as he could until his back hit the wall, trying to swallow down the slight fear rising in his stomach. Albel was soon standing closely in front of Fayt, staring down into the boy's already flushed face.
"Wait, Albel!" Fayt pleaded, looking directly into Albel's crimson eyes.
"Wait?" the swordsman repeated, taking a few steps away from Fayt. Had he been wrong? Did Fayt not feel anything for him after all?
"Why?" Fayt asked, sounding a little embarrassed.
"Why what?" Albel bit back, his voice full of anger, though he was merely trying to cover up the crushing disappointment he felt.
"Why me?" Fayt whispered. He knew what this meant to him, but what did it mean to Albel?
Albel went rigid, remembering his mother's words, and yet finding that he wasn't able to say those three words that he knew Fayt desperately wanted to hear. Instead, he sighed and lowered his head, second guessing all of the decisions he had made up until this point.
"You want to know why?" Albel asked, his voice quiet yet unwavering, "I thought that would be painfully obvious by now."
"What do you mean?" Fayt wondered out loud. Albel looked up to Fayt and shook his head, sighing. The kid sure could be oblivious, at times.
"Apparently I'd rather kill myself than live a life without you, fool," Albel growled, hating how he practically had to spell things out for the teenager. Fayt stared blankly at Albel for a few moments, realizing that no matter how badly he wanted to say it, Albel would never be able to say the simple phrase 'I love you'.
Fayt smiled at Albel as he pushed himself away from the wall, walking to stand in front of the swordsman. The teenager wrapped Albel's arms around his waist as he leaned into the older man, hearing the swordsman's breath catch in his throat.
"I understand…" Fayt whispered, "…and I love you too, Albel," the teenager finished, standing on his toes as he whispered the last part in the swordsman's ear. Albel pulled Fayt back in front of him and stared into his eyes, pure understanding shining in his bright green orbs.
"Tch." Albel smirked before pulling Fayt closely to him, his arms still wrapped loosely around Fayt's lower back.
Fayt grew impatient and, standing on his toes again, pushed his lips against Albel's, surprising the swordsman for a moment before the older man lowered Fayt to his feet again. The swordsman felt pressure building in his chest, threatening to burst, those sweet lips touching his own creating a spark of excitement through him. It was difficult, but he quickly reigned in his mounting passion. This time would be different than the others he had had before. This time it would mean something.
Albel softly caressed Fayt's lips with his own and breathed in deeply, smells of the sun and clean air calming him. The two men stood like this for a moment, reveling in each other's warmth and presence before Albel slowly leaned against Fayt, forcing the younger man to lean up against the wall as he broke their chaste kiss. The swordsman moved his mouth to where the teenager's neck joined with his jaw, pushing his lips against the beating pulse he could feel beneath Fayt's soft skin. He began to nibble and lick at the soft skin, leaving his own possessive mark. Fayt was his, and he'd be damned before he let anyone else have him.
The teenager leaned heavily against the wall, his eyes fluttering shut and small moans escaping involuntarily at Albel's actions. He wondered how such a simple thing could feel so good, his heart beating faster, his breath coming quicker. He thought of the absurdity of it all. Albel the Wicked, here, with him now, in a small tavern room with only a sense of each other, their warmth, how close their bodies are…
Fayt's thoughts were cut short by the older man's hands, which had quickly unzipped his vest and were now roaming unchecked over the teenager's pale skin. Fayt gasped, red heat pulsing behind his eyelids as Albel slid his hands up and down his slender chest and waist. Albel was floored by the boy's untouched beauty, his pale skin practically glowing in the moonlight. The younger man shrugged the vest off of his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor behind him, and lifted his arms to slide his hands underneath the swordsman's tight shirt, feeling already heated skin underneath his probing fingers.
Albel groaned when he felt Fayt's hands on him. Dear gods, the boy wasn't even doing anything overtly erotic, just stroking lightly at his skin, massaging the tight muscles of his back, and it was driving Albel mad. Fayt's hesitant, untrained motions were more intriguing and arousing than anything he'd ever felt before. He couldn't stand it, the new feelings rushing up inside of him, that quiet love he had only barely admitted surging towards the surface. It still wasn't enough.
Fayt gasped slightly when Albel kissed him roughly, bruising their lips before, almost apologetically, parting the teenager's lips with his tongue. The slick muscle plunged into his mouth, darting, exploring, claiming, and Fayt was left breathless. It was as if Albel was seeking to join their souls through their mouths, his hands gripping Fayt's hips tightly as if the boy might escape.
The younger man groaned into the swordsman's mouth, pulling absentmindedly at the edge of Albel's shirt. He needed more. He had to feel more of Albel against him. When the swordsman ignored him to continue claiming his mouth, he bit lightly at his tongue to get his attention. It didn't have the affect he wanted, though, as Albel growled, gripping Fayt's hips tighter and beginning to pull him closer.
Fayt nearly lost his mind as Albel renewed his assault with more vigor than before. He could barely breathe, he was wound so tightly. Remembering his objective after a moment, though, he bit down again harder, tasting a slight tang of copper in his mouth. Albel pulled back with a slight scowl.
"What is it, Leingod?" he asked petulantly. Fayt tugged on the bottom of Albel's shirt again.
I want to see you," he stated quietly, pleased at the shock closely followed by blatant hunger displayed on Albel's face.
When the swordsman heard those soft words come out of Fayt's mouth, he nearly lost all coherency to his mounting lust. Fayt wanted him. And that knowledge awakened a joy deep inside of him that he hadn't even thought he could feel anymore.
With a look of almost wonder in his eyes, Albel allowed Fayt to pull his shirt over his head, quickly closing the distance that had been created between them as the teenager threw the shirt over Albel's shoulder. Fayt gasped as he felt Albel's bare skin against his, his eyes clenching shut, their bodies pressed so intimately closely together that he could feel the swordsman's racing heartbeat against his chest. The pleasure was mind blowing. It was so hot and good and right.
The older man's scorching tongue trailed down the side of Fayt's neck. Fayt whimpered at the sensation, throwing his head back to give more access, and Albel smirked. He loved it, loved having this power of the boy, loved giving him this pleasure, loved the honest and passionate responses he got. He ran his callused hands down the teenager's sides, noticing the hitch in Fayt's breath. He finally brought his hands around Fayt's hips, where they paused at the buckle to his belt.
Fayt groaned when the older man paused, the now all too visible bulge in his pants begging to be set free. He opened his eyes, wondering at the halt. Those eyes widened in surprise when he could see the question looming in Albel's eyes, Is this all right?
"Don't stop," Fayt gasped out, closing his eyes again and letting his head fall back against the wall.
Albel chuckled deeply in his throat and undid the buckle, the teenager's baggy pants falling to the floor. Fayt gasped as the air hit his skin, noticing for the first time how cold the night had become.
The sun had just barely begun to rise over the horizon when Albel woke, not yet opening his eyes as if half afraid that the previous night had just been imagined. The strictly trained soldier in him demanded him to get up and prepare for the day, but the warmth of the bed told him otherwise. Albel took a deep breath and let it out slowly, wishing he could fall back asleep but knowing he couldn't. Albel finally opened his eyes and glanced down to the right of him, seeing Fayt's small figure curled up next to him. The swordsman wrapped his arm around the teenager's shoulders and pulled the sleeping boy closer to him, feeling the heat intensify as Fayt's body warmth was added to his. Albel held his breath as he stared into Fayt's sleeping face, the curve of his mouth, the delicate cheekbones that made him look almost childish. Though when he was angry, he looked anything but. Albel smirked at the thought. Albel lifted his arm up as Fayt snuggled closer to him, unconsciously moving towards the swordsman's warmth. Albel let his breath out when he realized he'd been holding it and felt his heartbeat increase as he felt more of Fayt's bare skin against his. Albel laid his head back down, knowing that he should get up, but felt compelled to stay where he was. The swordsman leaned back into the pillow and closed his eyes, trying to will himself to sleep.
After a few moments, Albel knew he wouldn't be able to fall asleep, so he delicately sat up and moved away from Fayt, trying his hardest not to wake the boy. The swordsman pulled his skirt on and watched Fayt sleep for a moment before, on a whim, bending over and kissing him lightly on the cheek. Fayt stirred slightly and then cracked open his eyes.
"'bel?" he slurred, having just been woken up. Albel bent back over the bed and kissed him again, this time on the lips before moving his mouth over Fayt's ear.
"Go back to sleep," the swordsman whispered, "It's only just dawn."
"Alright," Fayt said, a smile creeping over his face before sleep once again clouded his vision, "Love you, Albel," and, needing no further encouragement, turned back onto his side and promptly fell asleep. The swordsman looked to the floor and found a clean blanket that had been tossed carelessly aside the night before, and bent over to pick it up before draping it over the teenager's sleeping form.
Albel walked to the door and opened it, grabbing a maid by the shoulder as she walked down the hallway. The woman almost cried out in alarm, but wasn't able to as Albel put his hand over her mouth, as if he had expected it.
"Bring some warm water for the bath," he said gruffly before letting her go. The woman nodded and shuffled down the hallway.
Albel walked back to the bed and sat down on the edge of it, staring at nothing in particular when a thought struck him, leaving him cold. Fayt loved him. Albel looked back to Fayt's face, realizing how it never really occurred to him. Yes, Fayt had said it before, but the moment had been fevered, almost rushed during their mounting passion. Now, as he sat calmly on the edge of the bed, Albel began to realize exactly what this meant.
A small knock at the door signaled that the maid had returned, and Albel angrily switched his gaze to the door, annoyed at having his thoughts interrupted. Albel quietly opened the door and looked down, seeing two young girls instead of the older woman from before. They were each carrying two buckets of steaming water, and as Albel stepped aside to allow them entrance, he noticed that they were both blushing. He still hadn't bothered to put a shirt on. The swordsman watched as both girls glanced towards the bed, their blush deepening as they noticed Fayt's bare shoulder and side showing from underneath the blanket. Albel smirked as he observed the quickening haste in which they dumped the steaming buckets of water into the small tub. Apparently they were in a hurry.
Albel watched them leave with mild interest, watched them as they walked down the hallway quickly, whispering excitedly to one another. The swordsman shut the door and walked into the bathroom, taking his skirt off once again as he stepped into the warm water, relief flooding throughout Albel's tired muscles as he immersed himself in the water. The warmth enveloped him and seemed to loosen the knots in his muscles, to calm him from the thoughts that were raging inside of his mind.
Albel watched the steam as it curled up from the tub, his thoughts wandering. Why did Fayt love him? There couldn't possibly be a reason, it all seemed like madness. When Albel had been traveling with Fayt and his companions, he had been cold and distant. Even when he had begun to feel emotions for the teenager, Albel had always thought the younger man to be beyond his reach. The boy was too good, too pure, and too kind for someone like him, for someone like Albel the Wicked. And now, Fayt was saying he loved Albel. It was all too much.
As if in a daze, Albel pulled himself from the quickly cooling water and dried himself with the towel that one of the girls had left for him. The swordsman pulled on his skirt and shirt as he walked out of the bathroom, picking up the Crimson Scourge before leaving the room. Albel walked out of the building and headed towards the small copse of trees that was to the left of the tavern.
Albel slowly drew the Crimson Scourge from its sheath, feeling the familiar weight in his right arm. The katana hummed its song, a song full of bloodlust, death and many battles fought. The Crimson Scourge would never change, its song fixed. The swordsman centered himself on the sword, on his surroundings. Breathing quietly through his mouth, Albel sliced the sword through the air as he began training, once again trying to focus himself.
A/N wrap-up: So, yeah. I'll hopefully finish chapter 15 for a New Year's present. No, I'll struggle to. Sophomore year sucks, man…