Bastard!! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Macross Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Humanity ❯ Chapter 4

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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Chapter 4 0x01 graphic
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She dressed in a thin black skirt and combat boots, slipping a tight
black tank top over her torso. Her skin looked unbelievably pale in
her clothes but she didn't care. She had buzzed her ankle length hair
the night before, leaving it very short with only her bangs which were
long enough to tuck behind her ears. She had also bleached her hair to
a bright yellow, something that was shocking with her black eyebrows.
She walked across the hall and knocked on the door. It swung open and
the High Lord stood there gaping at her. He wore black pants tucked
into knee high combat boots, the pants billowing with any movements,
and a sleeveless shirt with a button down one over it. The undershirt
was white, standing out with his hair against all the black. His
muscles were clearly visible with the sheer garments he wore and his
black eyes flashed the brightest green she had ever seen in her life.

She frowned. "You don't like it, do you?"
He walked forward, across his spacious rooms and ran his fingers over
the stimulating tips of her spiked hair. His mouth twisted into a grin
as he gently pried loose a strand of her bangs and twirled it around
his finger.

"I do too. I think it's very punk, very you."
She grinned. "Where are we going? You said you'd show me Shadowia!"
"You bring a nice dress?"
She blinked. "No... Why?"
He shrugged. "Just curious. We'll get one while we're out. C'mon."

She followed him out and he led her into Foresta. The outer ring of
trees were dead with long branches that resembled more like arms with
claws. They parted for Freedan and some reached feverishly for her,
but Freedan drew her against his lean body and the branches moved
away.

"This place is freepy," she said quietly.

He grinned. "Wait until we get to the heart of it."
"What is this place?"
"This is Foresta, my heart."

They reached a beautiful clearing with a waterfall that crashed
silently from three hundred feet. The lake was serene and the grass
was lush, carpeting the ground, their footsteps. She watched as he sat
down and a figure made of the liquid from the lake formed. She sat
down, her eyes wide and Freedan laced his fingers together. The figure
made of water did so too, but its eyes were the same as the High
Lord's and at the moment they were focused on Nerouki. She shivered
and the liquid grinned, baring fangs. Her eyes widened when she
noticed the horns, that this was Freedan's Beast Form, which he kept
locked up within the enchanted forest.

"You softy." The liquid snarled and Nerouki almost fainted. Freedan
laughed, wrapping an arm around her protectively as she stared at the
demonic figure. The liquid stood and walked straight from the pond and
settled down inches from her. "I see you've finally lost your heart,
Freedan."
"Had I one to begin with?" He asked blandly.

"Acquiescence. Spell it."

Freedan rolled dark blue eyes skyward and muttered something under his
breath that she couldn't hear, but made the liquid man steam.

"I'm sure you doubt my intelligence, but really. I'm getting married."
"The fuck?!" The figure splashed into a pool on the grass and had to
reform itself from the lake. It balled its little hands into fists and
glared angrily at the High Lord. "I have served and protected you
faithfully and this is how you repay me! By trying to banish me? You
traitor! I quit!"

"I'm trying to think... Can you do that?"
"No... But I'd like to. Is this her?"
"Indeed. You'll be happy to hear she's the Queen of the Dead."

The liquid man smirked.

"Freedan," she whispered, her lips brushing his ear. It sent a shiver
down his spine that she felt and she bit back a smile of satisfaction.
He does react to my presence! "Who... What is that?"
"Allow me to explain, since I am the more articulate part of the High
Lord here."
"Part of the High Lord..." she echoed weakly.

"The High Lord lost his mind when he was ten--"
"Ooh, smooth, Vryce, real smooth!"
"And divided into his bestial side - glorious me! And the normal,
indifferent side you're sitting with." Vryce said. "I was spilled from
his body and I've resided in the lake here since he got sick of me
burning stuff."
"Pardon?"
"I formed from his blood. A Blood Being, you know. Well, obviously you
don't. But that's what my species is called. I represent Freedan's
Beast Form which he hides from everybody unless he needs to take me
into battle. Then the opponent fights two Freedan's and it's cool.
Anyways, since I'm made of his blood and his blood is acidic, I burn
through things. But he's put a spell over me to protect things from
me, so it's all good." He yawned and those eyes that were the mirror
of the High Lord's focused on her legs. "You're injured." He said.

Freedan followed Vryce's gaze and Nerouki blushed, pulling her skirt
over her legs. She blushed under their combined gaze and winced. "It's
nothing."
"It's infected." Freedan said dryly. "Of course it's nothing."
"Infections are common!" She snapped, pulling away from the men.

"Infections are not only of the body but of the aura. Your aura could
be seriously damaged. You should have Phoebe take a look at that,"
Vryce said seriously.

"I will tomorrow." She snapped, her eyes flashing with menace.

The men shrugged in unison and Freedan stood, offering a hand to
Nerouki. She accepted it and watched Vryce follow.

"He's coming?"
"To see us out," Freedan answered.

"Harumph." Nerouki crossed her arms over her breasts and huffed.

Vryce laid a hand on her shoulder and she was surprised at how cool
his flesh was, for being acidic. It must be Freedan's Magick... she
thought. She realized Vryce had said something. "I'm sorry, what?" She
asked absently.

"I asked you why you don't trust me."
"Because you read my thoughts."
"Body language," Freedan said. "We read body language, not your mind."
She stared at him, her eyes searching his and then she experimented.
Just as she thought, he blushed and rubbed against her slightly. She
pulled back and glared at Vryce. She reluctantly offered her hand and
Vryce, a mirror of the High Lord, but made of blood, bent to kiss it.
His eyes never left hers, making the gesture somehow sexual and she
gave him a seething glare. Then they were gone and strolling lazily
down Main Street. They went into shops she was interested in and she
bought a few things, and then Freedan took her to a renaissance shop.

"Hiya Eron, how goes it?" Freedan waved to the portly shop keeper who
gave him a cheery smile and strutted over, eyeing Nerouki.

"All is well, all is well. What can I do you two for?"
Freedan bowed with a flourish of his hands, gesturing to her body. "A
dress for the lady, of course."
Eron rolled his eyes. "Of course, because how many variations are
there of the seventeenth century gothic suits?"
Freedan looked hurt. "Millions, you just don't have any class or
talent."
Eron narrowed his dark blue eyes on the High Lord before grinning.
Freedan shrugged and sat down while Eron, remaining strictly
professional, or so he made it look, began taking her measurements.
Freedan leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Nerouki frowned when
Eron's hands lingered when suddenly the hand flew back, pinned to the
wall with a dagger. She turned to Freedan and saw him looking at them,
his eyes wide, innocent and surprised.

"Oh shit, that's mine isn't it?" He said. He walked up and twisted the
dagger free. Sweat beaded on Eron's forehead but he didn't make a
noise, just locked eyes with the High Lord. "Sorry `bout that."
Freedan bowed humbly before planting a lingering kiss on Nerouki's
lips, leaving her breathless and unable to return it. "I'm a bit
protective of my wife." Eron blanched.

"High Lord?"
"What is it?"
"You hate women! You even hate men! Why in the Nine Worlds would you
get married?" Eron's green eyes seemed to glow.

Freedan shrugged. "Everybody changes with time, it's inevitable. I
want the dress to be blood red. I think it would accentuate her
complexion rather nicely." He sat back down. "With black gloves." He
crossed his legs at the knee and watched as Eron worked. Finally, he
went back and used Magick to conjure up the dress. He brought Nerouki
to the dressing room and walked out to chat idly with the High Lord.

"Congratulations." Eron said, looking numb.

Freedan gave a weak smile. "The UGG is making me do this, but I must
admit, she does have a beautiful--"
"How does it look?" She asked meekly from the doorway.

Both men went slack jawed and she tugged at the bodice, self conscious
due to her exposed bosom. She did think she looked elegant when she
was alone, but in front of men, both handsome and well off, she began
to feel her confidence dwindle. She saw something flash in Eron's eyes
before they went black. His cheeks, however, flushed a bright pink.
Freedan just stared. She felt tears well up in her eyes and she bit
her lip, breaking skin. A little line of blood dripped into her mouth
and Freedan's eyes narrowed, catching sight of it. Suddenly his eyes
widened and he stood quickly.

"No, no! It looks beautiful on you, Takashi! It really does!"
She winced, licking the blood from her split lip. "You think so?"
"Indeed," his eyes took in every inch of her and she blushed when he
hit certain areas, but his eyes didn't linger anywhere except her
face. He was just drinking her in, as she had done with him on
numerous occasions. He smiled suddenly and she felt it spread.

"I'm guessing I should change. We have reservations and we shouldn't
be late. They get pissed at me for that," he stepped past her and her
shoulder brushed his chest as he moved past. He hesitated when they
touched and his hand flicked to her hip but then he was in the
dressing room, cursing as he tried to move about in the small space.

"Congratulations Lady Takashi." Eron bowed, his grin mocking. "Finally
a woman to tame the High Lord."
"Not at all. The UGG is making him do it. He just chose me as the
bride." She gave him a cool look and he shrugged. Then the High Lord
came out and Nerouki felt as if the world tumbled from beneath her
feet.

He wore black velvet, a long coat over a ruffled shirt. His narrow
waist and hips made her pulse race and she marveled at how handsome he
looked. He wore boots rolled down towards the top over his black
pants, both velvet. His sleeves ended about a third down his forearms
and the white shirt pulled through, ruffled and flowing elegantly with
the sweeping gestures he made when he talked. He bowed, one hand
behind his back the other clenched in a fist across his side. He came
up, his hair falling into his eyes in a rakish style, his grin
amiable.

"How do I look?"
"Wonderful," she breathed. "Absolutely exquisite."
"Frankly, the jacket annoys me, but there aren't many variations, are
there Eron?"
"No Lord," he said sharply. "There are not."

Freedan grinned and took Nerouki's hand, leading her from his friend's
renaissance shop and down a winding dirt road to a large mansion. She
gazed up at the tall building, set back in the sixteenth century.

"Goddess," she breathed. "It's beautiful!"
"We preserved it from the sixteenth century. Aristocrats conducted
business here before Geria was built." He looked down at her, his eyes
shining in the darkness. She studied the building intently before
looking up. She gave him a smile, nervous smile and he grinned. "You
hungry?"
"These woods... They're so peaceful." She murmured, looking around.
"Do you know your way well?"
"Of course," he snorted indignantly.

She smirked. "Would you care to give me a tour, kind sir?"
With that same arrogant grin that she was beginning to find kind of
boyish and handsome, he offered her his left arm, which she took and
he led her through the woods, giving her a history of Shadowia as they
went.

"Shadowia was created in roughly 932 AD when the Gods decided to make
all things balanced. The Good lands had evil lands to counter them,
and we were the first. We started out as merely black, shape shifting
forms, but slowly we began to evolve as we fed off Humans. Then the
Dynasty came along. We were evolutionally superior to the other
Shadows and we had greater strength and intelligence than all the
other races. We took control and began to teach people the ways of
peace between war, and we built our homes instead of flitting from
place to place." They wound back at the front of the mansion and she
gazed up at the gorgeous building again. She sighed and then started
forward exuberantly.

"Let's go! I can't wait to see the inside!"

A large chandelier was in the very center of the dining room with
hanging diamonds and rhinestones. Everything was made of crystal or
glass and the carpet was plush and white. It was perfectly clean and
she was surprised at how elegant and sophisticated the restaurant was.
Everybody else was dressed up in the old century clothes and she
grinned, seeing her gown was by far lovelier than all the others.
People turned to stare at the High Lord and his guest while Freedan
quietly talked with the host who smiled and glided over to a table
overlooking the lake. Nerouki was captivated when she saw how the lake
was made of crystals. She sat down and was offered a wine. She smiled
and quietly asked for a Sprite. The host stared for a brief moment
before turning to Freedan, who ordered Human Blood. When the host was
gone and a bored glance was flicked towards all the starers, he turned
back to Nerouki, a grin lighting his handsome face. She blushed.

"They didn't have Sprite back then, did they?" She asked sheepishly.

He laughed, his tenor raising an octave when he did so and she felt
embarrassed. "They wouldn't dare serve you anything you didn't want."
"Why?" She asked.

He blinked, giving her a look that said Tch, well isn't it obvious?
Because you're with me! She grinned as he tried to find words to best
suit his sarcastic reply and she snatched up her fork, holding it
upright. Then she turned it sideway, alternating between the two as
she chanted "Prison bars, venetian blinds, prison bars, venetian--""
He snatched the fork from her hand and leaned across the table, moving
so fast she didn't know he had grabbed her head and pulled her into a
kiss until she felt his tongue run alone the back of her front teeth,
sending shivers throughout her entire body.

She gasped, wondering if people were staring, but she knew they were.
Since the High Lord didn't care she tentatively returned the kiss. He
leaned into it slightly more, encouraging her to kiss him back and
when she did he gave a small sigh of satisfaction against her throat
before sitting down and calmly accepting the glass of blood the host
had been holding while they were kissing.

"Thanks." He said, taking a small sip, his eyes focused on Nerouki who
was staring at him in awe. She numbly accepted her soda and set it
down before her carefully. "I've had the urge to do that ever since I
saw you in that gown." He flicked his gaze over her exposed breasts to
prove his point, and deepen her blush. "However, the moment was just
never right, or if it was I suck at telling."
She smiled. "So you made your moment?"
He laughed. "Every time you do something extremely weird or random,
I'm going to kiss you." He winked and picked up his wine glass,
sipping it again. She smiled, wondering how often she could get away
with it. He looked at her suddenly and frowned. She asked him what was
wrong. "Nothing," her murmured and she frowned, biting her lip. But
then he gave his grin which came easily to his lips and she relaxed.
They looked through their menus and she finally settled on what she
wanted.

"Shit," she grumbled.

"What?" He looked up, his hair flopping over his left eye.

It's getting long, you never wear it that long, she thought before
answering "This is written in Olde Shadow."
He raised an eyebrow. "Indeed."
"So what does it all say? I hardly know Modern Shadowic, much less the
Olde Tongue." He smiled and leaned forward, pointing out various
things and, in the process teaching her various words. When he
finished showing her the menu she was able to say "God Damn! Look at
that tiny midget over there with the mullet!" She said this
tentatively and he laughed, his eyes sparkling.

She sighed. "There's something wrong with me," she said finally, after
they had eaten. Freedan was drinking yet another glass of blood. He
looked up.

"Your leg?"
"No... Nothing physical... Well it is kinda physical."
"What is it?"
She wanted to tell him she was falling in love with him but something
reminded her Esmeralda and Tara Lee. She gave a grimace and replied
sourly "I'm finding it harder to hate you the more time we spend
together."
He steepled his fingers, narrowing his eyes and pressing his nose to
his index fingers. "Yes, it's all coming together as expected. My
plans are almost complete!"
He gave a small smile and then shrugged, downing the rest of his
glass. "Wanna leave?" He asked suddenly. She nodded her indifference
and he stood, tossing some Gil on the table before offering her his
arm. He inclined his head to the people staring at him before he
strutted confidently from the room. She watched the buildings pass
into trees as they walked towards Geria. She shivered and he took off
his coat, gently putting it around her shoulders. She gave him a
grateful smile and continued walking. She stopped to change from her
heels to her combat boots before they finally managed to walk for a
five minute stretch.

"Freedan?"
His arm comfortably around her shoulder, he looked relaxed as he gazed
up at the sky. He looked down at her and gave a slight smile. "Yeah?"
"Tell me about your life."
He frowned, his arm tensing. "I thought you knew."
"I know the awful things that happened, and I know you partitioned
your mind, but what I don't know is anything about your... romantic...
life..." Her words began to trail as she saw the black replace the
dark blue and his gaze harden. A muscle in his jaw twitched for a
second until he pulled his arm back and shoved his hands in his
pockets. Moment lost, he wouldn't confide.

He sighed. "What's with you? You're the mystery of Geria. Tell me
about your life, Takashi."
She smiled as she shuffled along, his coat large and dragging down to
her knees.

"I grew up with a mutilated father who was indifferent to his World
because he was too busy protecting me, and a mother who hated me
because I wasn't her kid. I played with dead kids all my life, and
learned all their secrets. Some of those kids died in such horrible
ways that I studied text books in my father's private study until I
learned enough to strike down the murderers from the Realm of the
Dead. I made them into F'Lors so I wouldn't have to talk to them ever
again. But I felt their presence and heard their voices. It wasn't
until I was ten and officially appointed with Truisch as my Guardian
that I realized some of the people I talked to were F'Lorian. I knew
Spirit Speak and it shocked me. My mother... I mean Janis, declared me
a heathen and Truisch was forced to stay awake day and night
protecting me.

"They say that if a F'Dorian ever found the one he or she could truly
love, they would become F'Korian. Truisch proposed to me three years
ago when I was twelve. He was twenty-seven then..." She sighed. "I
wanted to say yes to give him his emotions, to make him feel sorrow
and joy, but I said no because I wanted to marry somebody I could
love. I couldn't love Truisch as any more than a brother." Geria came
into view. They traversed the remaining mile and entered, only to be
greeted with the quiet of a sleeping palace. Freedan was assured; he
had spotted his men patrolling the perimeter of the palace grounds,
except the west wall where Foresta was settled.

He felt like hunting, but walked Nerouki down to her room.

"Have you ever fallen in love?" Freedan asked casually.

She frowned, coming to a stop outside their rooms. "I'm not sure."
He smiled. "It's a wonderful feeling." He opened his arms and she
hugged him, feeling his arms close around her tightly. "Good night,
Takashi."
"Good night, Freedan. I had a great time today." She stepped back and
looked up at him. His eyes were sparkling strangely, the look in his
eyes oddly captivating. He smiled. Do I want him? He's dangerous,
especially since he's not completely sane... She found soft lips
pressed against her and she gave into the kiss willingly, feeling his
warm hands rest on her hips, drawing her towards him. She felt her own
hands grip his muscled back. Then his mouth was slowly moving lower,
his head bent as he kissed her neck, gently sucking.

She let out a breathy sigh, massaging his back as he kissed her. She
felt her body melting into his. She and Truisch had kissed but it had
never felt anything like this. A small tendril of Magick tickled over
her flesh and she felt it raise the hairs on her arms. His hands slid
up her sides, moving back and up until they gripped her by her
shoulders. She opened her eyes and gazed into the unnerving black
depths of the High Lord's. She felt her chest heave against his as she
fought to catch her breath. She was blushing furiously, she knew, and
he gave her that smile that always confused her. Is it arrogance or is
it charm? She wondered as she felt his lips touch hers briefly. She
ran her hand through his hair, feeling him back her up against the
stone wall.

His eyes were locked on hers as a hand slid down and gripped the back
of her thigh, raising the leg up. She tilted her head back slightly
and he dove in. His mouth fastened to her neck and she felt fangs rip
into the skin. She jerked, but then his hands brought her back to what
the rest of him was doing. She moaned, her eyes closing as she felt
their auras meld into a jumble of thoughts.

Why am I doing this? I don't even know what the boundaries are....
Jesus her skin is so soft.... Oh my God, I didn't know he was so
ripped! ...Goddess take me... How does she feel? Was she attracted to
me? She's not fighting me... Bizarre... Did he imply he was falling in
love with me? Will I only break his heart? ...Strange... Oh my God,
her thighs... her thighs... Shit, is that what I think it is... He
can't be... It is! Oh my God...

He withdrew his fangs and she opened her eyes, staring into his. His
cheeks were flushed and his lips were redder than usual. She brushed
back a lock of his hair and gave him a small smile. She lowered her
leg, brushing against him and he moaned a little, his eyes closing
briefly before opening and looking down at her. Footsteps could be
heard and he straightened, smoothing his clothes. He bent his head
down and whispered in her ear before heading towards the footsteps.
She went into her room, playing the words over in her head over and
over again. She undressed and showered before heading to bed. She
climbed under the covers and closed her eyes, snuggling against one of
the many plush pillows. Consciousness faded and all she heard was him
saying It officially begins, Lady Takashi. Truisch will have his own
suite before the night is up. She fell asleep in the High Lady's
bedroom.

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Breakfast was normal, but Freedan wasn't anywhere to be found. Neither
was Truisch. Suspicion bubbled just below her consciousness as she ate
with Airiad and Ice, who made thrilling conversation while Phoebe,
Yamaria and some other women discussed healing herbs. Just as dishes
were being cleared, Freedan and Truisch burst into the rooms, guilty
grins breaking across their faces. Phoebe and Nerouki both shot to
their feet, scolding "Where have you been?" Nerouki blushed and backed
down a little bit. The grins broadened as Truisch gestured animatedly
while he explained it all.

"You see, Freedan and I were talking about how I could become F'Korian
when we came up with this brilliant plan!"
"When were you talking about this?" Nerouki asked.

"On a border patrol." Truisch said, brushing aside the question.
"Freedan is going to summon a GF and use the GF to restore me! To get
to the GF he's going to travel into the Valley of Death and use Des as
his guide!"
"You seem pretty excited, Truisch. Are you sure you're not F'Korian?"
Ice asked.

Nerouki shook her head. "F'Dorians are unable to experience anything
other than anger and hatred. Some can feel mild forms of affection or
excitement." She spread her arms and Truisch rushed into them, dancing
her around the room as they laughed. "I'm so happy for you, Tru!"

Truisch set her down and turned to Freedan. "When do you leave?"
Freedan smiled. "I know you're anxious, but I have a small stop to
make on the way there. I should be off by this Wednesday."
"Where must you go?" Nerouki asked curiously.

He smiled as he took her arm and threw a spell of Silence around them.
"It's a surprise, but I must ask you the biggest favour."
"What?"
"I need you're Amulet of Death and a map of the Realm of the Dead."
Instantly she became cold and hostile. "Never. I'm sorry Freedan, but
no."

He gripped her hands and held them to his heart, which in a Shadow, is
located in the center of the stomach. "Please Nerouki, I promise not
to do anything stupid. Let me borrow them. This is for Truisch."
"Why are you helping Truisch?" She was still uneasy about
relinquishing her power of the Dead.

"I'm not a monster," he said, looking hurt.

She sighed and removed her necklace. "Of course you're not. I have a
small box in my room, lying on the bureau across from the door. In
that box you will find a map, among other things. Take it when you go,
but bring it back."
He gave her a beaming smile that melted her heart and she laughed.

"Thank you so much, Takashi!"
She gave him a look. "Freedan, we've known each other for a month and
not once in our existing acquaintance, have you called me by my first
name. Not Crisjanis... I mean my middle name. What's with that?"
"Come with me into the hall." He broke the spell to tell the people in
the dining hall that he'd be right back. Then he walked out with her
and threw a globe of darkness around them, making them invisible to
anybody who might follow them. He replaced the silence shield. He
smiled warmly at her. "You know what my biggest fear is?" She shook
her head, intrigued by anything bit of information about himself he'd
be willing to share. "That I would fall in love. I mean, I'm scared
I'll lose my people because then I'd have nothing to live for. I'm
scared of falling in love because I don't want to be like Kiri and
David. But when I decided to take a chance with Tara Lee, she broke my
heart. Figuring since she was the one who did the hurting, I was safe.
But then with Ezzy, she left me because of my rank. I've grown to fear
abandonment,. I know everybody does on some level, but I just don't
want to be alone anymore.

"But you're giving me hope for the future. You listen to me and you
talk to me, you can laugh with me and when we go out you act as if
we're equals, and everybody who's below us is our equal too. You're so
nice to everybody, and I know I must sound like a complete tard, but
this is honestly how I feel. I think I'm falling in love with you. I
knew it when you didn't push me away last night. Not when I was
kissing you, but when I took your blood. You're different, and I
haven't betrayed anybody I truly cared for. I'm not about to start.
But this business with the Realm of the Dead is for me to know, and me
only. I'm sure Cris will tell you about it later."
She sighed in defeat. "Alright, but this is the key to getting in
there. If you don't give this back to me within a week, I'll die and
my Soul will wander the living lands helplessly." His fist tightened
over the necklace.

"I'll keep it safe. I just want it for access to the Realm for a day.
I'll be home tonight to return it with the map."
She nodded. "Good."
"Oh, and Taka- Nerouki?"

She looked up at him, her eyes hazel.

"Don't tell anybody about us."
"Why not?"
"Well... I haven't made anything official or anything, and I just want
to go at a really slow pace, you know? I don't want to rush into
this."
She nodded after a moment of heavy thought. "Alright. Why did Tara Lee
leave you?" She watched him pull the necklace over his head and tuck
the amulet beneath his shirt. Then he looked up. She noticed he had
cut his hair and spiked it again. She smiled.

"She told me I was an arrogant prick with no concern over humans and
not an ounce of humanity left within my battered body." He shrugged.
"I think she thought I was arrogant and inhumane, but I'm not too
sure." She smiled.

"Well I don't think I'll leave you for the same reasons Esmeralda
did."
"If this is some sort of sick joke about how you're more powerful than
me, then I don't wanna talk about it." He stuck his tongue out at her
and she laughed. "Well, my horse is waiting. I had better hurry, get
the map and go." He bent down and kissed her briefly and let his hands
touch her briefly, rubbing against her leg before he dissolved the
spells and headed off towards their rooms.

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Her room was immaculate. He looked around and saw a small book, about
the size of a journal, lying open on the desk. He meandered by and
caught a glimpse of it. She was depressed and had nobody to talk to.
Then she had written a song. He winced, thinking about how he knew how
she felt. Note to self: Make more time for Takashi. Note to self:
Remember she likes to be called Nerouki. He opened the box and saw a
dagger lying on a velvet cloth. It was of Elv'n make, and he had
remembered seeing Natalya using an identical one during some ceremony
or another. He lifted the dagger and set it aside. A piece of paper,
so worn it felt like cloth, lay folded neatly next to a piece of crisp
paper, and a piece of yellowing paper. He picked up the yellowing
paper and gasped, reading the contents.

0x08 graphic

He quickly put that away and picked up the crisp piece of paper. He
unfolded it to see a photograph of himself tucked neatly in the paper.
He frowned, it was a picture of himself with Phoebe, posing happily
when they were four going on five, unaware of the horror that would
come to them in the next five years of their lives. He sighed and
grabbed the cloth-like paper, recognizing it as the map, and darting
from the room, using Magick to make everything as it was before.

He left Geria with such urgency that Yamaria, waiting with his horse,
stared at him in awe as he jumped from the ground up onto the horse
and galloped away towards Foresta. He tore through the darkened woods
and finally came to Geshra, the clearing with the mighty waterfall and
the caverns. He unfolded the map and with a hint of witch light,
illuminated the area so he could glance at it. He tethered his horse
to a tree and put it to sleep with a slight touch of his Gyft before
he dived into the water, using his Magick to make the paper hover
above the lake. He hefted himself through the powerful waterfall with
some difficulty, and the paper swept through, remaining mysteriously
dry. Using that same ball of witch light, he looked at the wall a few
yards into the cavern. He lifted the necklace off his chest and knelt,
inserting the key into the lock. The wall slid to the left with a
grating sigh. He tucked the key beneath his shirt as he stood,
extinguishing the witch light. He knew he was to go straight no matter
what. He left for the throne room

He pictured the map in his mind. The map was drawn in black coal, but
red ink marked mile points from the Forestan entrances. Nerouki had
come here through his Forest and managed not to have him notice as she
breached the outer ring of trees. He felt a cold wash of fury spread
through him, his anger at her being Magickally more powerful than him.
He took a few deep breaths, reminding himself he was in love with her,
remin-ding himself he was physically stronger, reminding himself she
would never turn against him and therefore, he could, would never turn
against her.

He came to the five mile rest point and he hunkered down, pressing his
back against the cold amethyst wall. There was a tunnel branching off
the left wall, but it was about seven miles long and only led to a
dead end. He watched the darkness shift around him and it was then
that he truly appreciated his Shadowic heritage. Had he been anything
other than that, even a Vampire, he would have only saw darkness, he
would need a torch. But Shadows were born in the darkness and could
gradually learn to accept light, as he had done. But mostly, they felt
most comfortable where there was no light. It was part of the reason
he didn't go to the Human World much. It was bright there. But
Foresta, with its Sun and Moon and even the Stars that were made of
his Magick, were his, a part of him and therefore he was unaffected by
their presence.

When he judged it was time to go, he stood and began to head down the
long tunnel. After another tunnel branched off from the right to lead
to a maze that would lead him to the throne room much at the same
amount of time as the curving, winding path he had made himself stick
to. He didn't want to lose his sense of direction in that maze. He
walked for what seemed like ages with nothing but his own mind to keep
him company, and several times he just wanted to go back. He was
thirsty for blood as well as water, his fangs digging into his bottom
lip, drawing his sweet yet acidic blood. His face began to take on a
look of an older man, a man who had seen more blood and pain and
suffering and anguish than a man of Freedan's youth would have.
However, being the victim of all that pain, he could often look twice
his age. His eyes began to lose their sparkle and he stumbled several
times. He fell at last, his strength weakening as the painful thirst
spread through his body. His head hit the ground, the cold floor
resounding with a painful thwack as his head cracked open. He groaned,
his eyes going out of focus for a moment. The blood pooled beneath
him, filling in the gouged numbers signifying he was at the 43.6 mile
mark, the entrance to the throne room.

Mustering up all his strength, he pushed himself to his feet, only to
be confronted by Cristofer Taka, who stood in the entrance. The throne
room had a radius of twenty miles, and Cristofer looked tiny and
insignificant, filling that large space, but only so much of it. He
had no hands, no feet, and Freedan knew he was shaved completely, his
reproductive organs removed and his body scarred with an intricate
design of runes meant to attract pain and suffering.

"High Lord, how wonderful of you to come."
He stood, leaning against the wall, his eyes glittering with hatred.
"Shut up Taka! I'm not here for you!"
"I see you've killed my daughter and stole her rights to this land."
He bowed. "I relinquish all power to you, m'lord."

Freedan managed to throw his hands up in exasperation. "That's not why
I'm here! I asked her for this!" He said, indicated the necklace that
had fallen from where it had been hidden, beneath his shirt.

"You seduced my daughter in order to steal the dead. Clever."
"I came to heal you." Freedan said flatly.

Shock registered on Cris's face. "You what?"
"Find me somebody living. Bring them to me and let me feed, then we
will get on with what I came here to do. Then I will answer all your
questions."
"You ask for something difficult of me, High Lord. To find something
living among the lands of the dead."
"Pull it off, Taka. Or have your daughter in Geria for longer than she
need be."
"What is she doing in Geria?" Cris paled, if a dead man could do such.

"I will answer your questions after I regain my strength!" Freedan
replied through clenched teeth. With a sigh, Cristofer set off in
search of one of the many prisoners they held for ransom from the
Negaverse.

Freedan crawled over to the thrones in the center of a dais in the
large room. He sat in the Queen's chair and fed anxiously when a young
woman was brought. After he had left a withered old corpse on the
steps of the dais, he gestured for Cris to sit atop the King's throne
while he spoke.

"I have taken Takashi under my protection, and we are now engaged."
"Engaged?" Cris gasped.

"At first, it was just for my own benefit, so I could save myself from
an untimely death. But now, I think I'm falling in love with her."
"In love?"

"She returns the sentiments and in my haste to try to prove my
emotions to be pure, I have decided to come here and heal you back to
the way you were before I mutilated you so many years ago. Now I wish
you no harm."
"No harm!"
Freedan gave the man an annoyed glance. "You seem very adept at
picking up key phrases, but will you accept my offer?"
Cris frowned, the flesh of his eyebrows drawing in a tight V over his
shimmering Shadowic eyes. At last, he closed his eyes and nodded.

"Taka, how old are you?"
"Forty-seven."
"Natalya told me about how Nerouki was conceived, within another
woman. I feel your pain, I honestly do. You know, my biggest fear of
marrying her is that I will some-how turn out like my parents and
abuse her." He winced and looked down at his powerful hands. He was
still dehydrated, the veins in his arms sticking out.

"That's understandable. But I don't think your parents would ever heal
one they have harmed. You are different High Lord."
"There is a prophecy Nerouki hid from me. She was born to marry me,
for us to fall in love. But when we have managed to prove our love, it
is destined to bring forth an awful crisis that could devastate the
Universe. Then Takashi and I alone must save the Universe. I don't
want to be mistaken. Your daughter is beautiful, sensual, soft, she's
so perfect. I don't know if what I feel towards her is lust or love."
He raised anguished eyes to Cris's, who was staring at him in awe.
"What do you think?"
"I think you're quite a remarkable man. To survive a journey through
the Realm of the Dead without the Magick affecting you--""

"Magick? What Magick?"
"There is a Magick that surrounds this Realm, making the body wish to
die. The fact that your will is strong enough not even to notice the
Magick says something. And that you come here without meaning any
ill-will is also astounding, considering the circumstances of our last
meeting. I think since you wish to protect my daughter so and since
you get this look in your eyes when you talk about her, with such
passion you do, that you are, indeed, in love. Don't doubt yourself,
Freedan. Just go with it. She will love you for who you are, you must
learn to do the same, both with her and yourself."
Freedan reached forehead and pressed his index and middle fingers of
each hand to Cris Taka's temples. He looked at the dead man, his lips
curving into a genuine smile. "Thank you Cris." Then Freedan restored
the man's flowing mane of red hair, watching the flaming locks tumble
to his waist. The man's mouth opened in shock as the High Lord's power
flowed through him, burning yet soothing at the same time. He felt his
feet grow back to fit his boots he wore, holding them in place with
Magick, his hands grew back and he compulsively clutched the arms of
his chair. He felt his organ grow back and his face began to turn red
with embarrassment as it grew back hard, he was aroused by the High
Lord's power. The High Lord, however, was beginning to pale, his
strength ebbing from exertion. Cris dodged out of the High Lord's grip
and Freedan sat back, breathing heavily.

"Thank you Freedan. You have my blessings." And with a flash of white
light, Freedan was teleported to where his horse remained tethered,
standing where it had fallen asleep. Freedan collapsed on the ground,
exhausted, not knowing when he'd be found and taken care of.

A prophecy speaks of a soul bred only to tame the Bringer of All
Deaths. Once she had performed her duty there will come a terrible
crisis in which the Universe will only survive if the love between the
Bringer of All Deaths and the Keeper of Each Death's love does.

Sage Luka of Shadowia