Bastard!! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Macross Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Humanity ❯ Chapter 6

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

**^** Chapter 6 **^**

Freedan knocked on her door and she answered, half awake and equally
clothed. He took in her lithe body without a trace of emotion and
gently spoke to her. She instant-ly awoke and followed the High Lord,
who was also accompanied by his band of hoodlum Elementalis, down to
Foresta where Truisch could be seen raising hell.

"What's going on?" Nerouki asked angrily.

Truisch looked at her with such rage and humiliation that she took a
step back and frowned. "Tru? You alright?"
"I have dishonoured you, Lady Crisjanis and I was going to take my
life on your plains of heritage--""
"You're an idiot. Come back to Geria and get some rest. We'll contact
Plaeysata and Revellia tomorrow and everything will be fine." She
snapped impatiently.

"I can't be known as your knight if I keep--""
"This is going to suck for you, but you'll always be my knight so get
your silly arse back in there!" She yelled, hiking a thumb over her
shoulder towards the palace.

He studied her. "I've fallen in love you, Nerouki," he said softly.

She stared, her mouth dropping open. "Jesus Christ, Belhelmel." She
said.

"Well," he shrugged, his eyes meeting the indifferent gaze of the High
Lord with defiance and a little fear.

Hmph, Freedan thought.

"It's true. It's been this way for a while. But since the High Lord is
finally calling you by your preferred name instead of your last, I
assume I have some competition?"
Freedan shrugged.

But, but, what about that night we went out to dinner? Nerouki found
herself in a world of hurt but she concentrated on Truisch, lest she
lose track of herself.

"Truisch, this is hardly the place--"
"No, it's cool. We'll all go home." The others left almost comically
and Nerouki glared at their retreating backs. "Those assholes," she
muttered.

"Truisch, I know you must want your emotions back and the only way
that would happen would be if you fell in love and they, um, had, um
sex with you, but really! I think the whole set up for a F'Dor to be
able to fall in love is ridiculous! You should never have lost your
emotions but rest easy, I killed your killer."
"Nerouki, he can't run from his feelings." Anymore than I can. Freedan
looked at the F'Dor and smiled at him. "I say you take him. He's a
great guy."
"Can we speak alone for a minute?" Truisch asked, suddenly suspicious.
Nerouki nodded and walked off a ways so Freedan could throw up a
shield of silence. "What are you up to, High Lord?" Truisch snapped.

"Look, I can't tell her I love her. What if I don't? What if I hurt
her? You're so pathetically loyal to her that she can't get hurt with
you!" Freedan almost screamed in blind rage and Truisch froze. Slowly,
he offered his hand.

"Truce?"
"What?" Freedan stared.

"I'm calling a truce." Truisch said as if Freedan were stoopid.

"Why?"

"Believe it or not, I understand your position, but I'd rather you
have her."
"Why?" Freedan echoed weakly.

"Because you not only love her, but need to prove to yourself you're
not some worthless offspring. I believe in you. Maybe someday I'll
fall in love again."
Freedan gave Truisch such a pathetic look, full of misery and sorrow
that Truisch felt a whole new respect for the High Lord. He only plays
off as being an asshole, but really he's just like anybody else,
Truisch grudgingly admit to himself.

"I don't deserve her," Freedan whimpered and Truisch stared at the
High Lord, suddenly so weak and vulnerable as if he were five again.

"No, but you can earn her. She's already your friend. Now just build
on it, Freedan." Truisch smiled and bowed and gestured for Freedan to
drop the shield. He watched Freedan's face as he did so and when the
last trace of the spell had dissolved the High Lord looked as arrogant
and cruel as he always did.

"Well, what was that all about?"
"I'm sorry if I said anything that may have hurt or confused you, Lady
Crisjanis, and I was hoping you meant it when you said I'd always be
your knight."
"Of course," she replied slowly with suspicion.

"Then I wish to get some sleep. It's been a long night." He bowed and
took his leave, leaving Nerouki to stare at Freedan as if he had just
done some sort of arcane Magick that she wanted to learn, but was
scared of all the same. He shrugged. Maybe he had, he wasn't so sure
of anything anymore.

**^**

The next day Freedan was nowhere to be seen. Having grown used to his
erratic schedule, Nerouki walked the halls aimlessly. However, when
the almost useless Elementalis Airiad and Ice were nowhere to be
found, she went in search for Flaem, whom she didn't find. Nor anybody
else that she knew and therefore would have any sort of major role in
this story. She ran down the halls and eventually bumped into the very
solid body of Jemis, whom we haven't seen in a while, now have we?

"Jemis!"
"I was told to come get you. Freedan is talking with Plaeysata and
Revellia."
"He's communing at this hour?"
"No, they walked here apparently," Jemis said with a shrug. He dragged
the astonished Nerouki down to the lobby where the tall black haired
and creepy eyed Gods were sitting. Plaeysata had shimmering gold eyes
and Revellia had reptilian eyes, red with vertical slit pupils.

"Crisjanis!" Revellia jumped up and she froze, her eyes widening.

"You're Revellia?" She asked, horrified.

"You know, that's what I said..." Freedan started before his voice
slowly lowered until he was mumbling obscenities about Christianity or
some organized religion.

"You two know each other?" Revellia's girlfriend and fellow God,
Plaeysata asked as she arched a delicate eyebrow.

"You could say that," they grumbled in unison.

"You're an asshole!" Nerouki hissed.

"You're a bitch!" Revellia hissed back.

Everybody else just stared, dumbfounded at a mortal and a God, going
at it like school kids at recess.

"What the fuck is going on?" Freedan snapped and silence descended
like a muffling blanket. His black eyes settled on Revellia but his
body was turned slightly towards Nerouki. She slowly went to him and
he sat her down, his hand on her shoulder and a sharp push down
accomplished this task, as Nerouki seemed to be numb with shock her
glassy eyes focused on Revellia.

"What is wrong with you two?" Plaeysata snapped.

"He was the one who transferred me from Natalya to Janis," Nerouki
mumbled.

"You performed the Magick for that?" Freedan looked at the reptilian
man in awe.

"Shut up everybody. We have a much more important task at hand."
Plaeysata said, rolling her amber eyes towards Asgard. "As you may or
may not know from the prophecies, but Necris and his minions of the
undead are trying to take over the Universe. The Elpoeps have already
fallen."
Freedan looked stunned and Phoebe let out an anguished cry, falling
into Flaem's arms. Freedan slowly sat down beside Nerouki who looked
at him, noticing how pale he had become at the news of the Elpoep
Realm's demise. The Gods both sat down and the others, who had been
standing, finally felt at ease to sit down too, unless dismissed which
they were, much to their annoyance. The last to leave were Airiad and
Ice, both shooting Nerouki concerned looks, concern for Freedan, she
nodded and gave them a reassuring smile before sending them along.

"Well, now that we've introduced ourselves," Revellia muttered.

"Freedan, you ok?"
"I'm fine." He forced a cheery grin for her but she didn't fall for
any smile that didn't touch the eyes. She wrapped and arm around his
waist and leaned back, giving him a brief squeeze of affection before
pulling her arm away. Freedan leaned forward, forearms on thighs, his
eyes locked with Plaeysata's.

"Well, you both looked fairly healthy."
"We are. Why?"
"In order to become a Guardian, you must become a God because in
essence, the two are the same thing. We were wondering if you're
ready?"
"I am." Freedan said, anger brimming in his voice.

"Ditto!" Nerouki chirped, not one to like being left behind.

As instructed they closed their eyes and each fell into their own
private Hel.

**^**

"Freedan!" He opened his eyes and stared into the dark blue depths of
Nerouki's eyes. "My God, are you alright?" She gasped, tears streaming
down her face. He brushed them away and nodded.

"I'm fine. What about you?"
"They broke me." She whispered, the tears renewing themselves.

His expression hardened. "Broke... you?"
"Yes, I can't ever have kids now."
He sighed, relieved. "I'm so sorry. Who are they?"

"The Elementalis. Airiad, Ice and Flaem."
His eyes widened. "No! They wouldn't! They're my only friends! They
wouldn't do that! Not to you! They know I want you... Oh Gods no....."

"Freedan!" He opened his eyes and stared into the dark blue depths of
Nerouki's eyes. "My God, are you alright?" She gasped, tears streaming
down her face. He brushed them away and nodded.

"I'm ok. Are you ok?"
She nodded. Then helped him to his feet. "But they cut off my wings."
"Who're they?" He asked, surprised at her neutrality.

"The Elementalis. Airiad, Ice and Flaem."
"No!"
"Freedan!"
He opened his eyes and back handed her. She flew from where she knelt
beside him and cried out as her head hit the stone floor.

"Who are you?" He yelled, looking down at what appeared to be
Nerouki's body, but the eyes were different. They glinted, composed
entirely of malice. He felt nauseas just looking at her, at her face,
at those fangs as they jutted from her mouth. She lunged for his
throat and as she did she transformed into Esmeralda, then shifted
into Tara Lee Braxton and then Kiri SVenson. He watched in horror but
then that mouth was on his neck and his reflexes kicked in. He snapped
the creature's neck and threw the corpse down to his feet, breathing
hard.

"Freedan!" He opened his eyes and simultaneously kicked, sending a
limp body across the room where it landed, sprawled on the stone
floor.

"What is this place?" Freedan cursed as he climbed to his feet and
unsheathed his sword. He pulled the blade free and using his famous
one handed thrust, impaled the figure on it and she stared at him,
blue green blood pouring from every orifice in her naked body until
she was a tattered husk lying on his sword. The blood formed his Blood
Being Vryce and then Vryce was lunging for him. Freedan quickly
sheathed his sword and ran for his life.

"Freedan! Freedan, it's different this time!"
Freedan opened his eyes and there, between Plaeysata and Revellia,
stood what was becoming the subject of all his nightmares. A scared
looking Nerouki stood there, eyes wide and hands shaking as he climbed
heavily to his feet. Then the three transformed into beasts and were
on him. Pain shot up every limb of his body as they tore him apart,
muscle by muscle. Kiri was chewing on an arm, Tara Lee had a piece of
his gaping throat in her hand, Esmeralda was gnawing on his leg and
Nerouki was supervising it all. He sobbed, betrayed by another woman
he had fallen for. He knew it, he was in love with Nerouki and she had
betrayed him. The world shattered.

**^**

Nerouki opened her eyes and there he stood, tall and glorious and just
her luck: naked! She jumped up and he advanced on her, lust in his
eyes. Then he was on her, attacking her, ravaging her like an animal.
An annoying high pitched scream filled the air and she didn't realize
it her own voice until he tore out her throat and she gurgled, dying
in her own pool of blood.

Nerouki opened her eyes and there he stood, tall and glorious and just
her luck: naked! She jumped up and he advanced on her, hate in his
eyes. She frowned and began to back away but then he was on her, his
long nails tearing her flesh, his fangs ripping it from her muscles
and his body pinning her down. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe,
all she could do was wonder what that shrill noise was. It wasn't
until he ripped her vocal cords out in a deft swipe of his hand, that
she realized she had been shrieking hysterically the entire time.

Nerouki opened her eyes and there he stood, tall and glorious and just
her luck: naked! He advanced on her, betrayal in his eyes and she
frowned, backing away. He lunged for her and the déjà vu that washed
over her got the adrenaline pumping. "Where am I?" She screamed as she
dodged his attacks with feline grace. She received no answer and
turned to fight him. She punched him twice in quick succession, and
blood pulsed through his lips as his abdomen bruised. She fought him
tooth and nail until he finally lay unconscious in a heap. When he
awoke he weakly attacked her again and again she left him unconscious
to regain his strength. The fifth time, however, she lay there as he
attacked her. She whispered as he tore her apart, whispered everything
she had always wanted to tell him, telling him to pass things on to
Truisch, Sadi and Jemis, her three closest friends and finally, as
life ebbed from a wound in her head, she whispered "I hope someday you
look back and realized I didn't kill you because I'm was love with
you." But he had betrayed her and her world shattered.

**^**

She awoke and when she saw Freedan she glared at him as hotly as he
glared at her. The Gods, however, had the nerve to look pleased with
themselves.

"You both admitted something to each other?" Plaeysata asked, feigning
innocence. Freedan looked startled and Nerouki blushed.

-You know what you must do, High Lord,- Revellia said, playing his
part. -You must tell her that you love her. That's the only way you'll
ever know---

"But the visions..." he moaned.

"The visions you both had were of worse case scenarios so when you
confess to each other, everything won't seem so bad and hopefully
you'll both remain friends." Plaeysata explained, patiently. "We'll be
back in a few hours." And they left, sealing off all the doors so
Freedan and Nerouki were locked in a windowless cell.

Freedan dropped his head in his hands and Nerouki crossed her legs,
tensing at being alone with him. "This is rather scarring, isn't it?"
Nerouki asked. When no reply came she went on talking, losing herself
with whatever her mind went to, not caring what Freedan thought
anymore, not wondering how he felt, just moving on to each subject,
jumping and jumping and floating and wandering. "I mean, just locking
us up when we could have easily shared our visions had they kindly
asked us. In fact, the visions were totally unnecessary. They could've
been like `Nerouki, are you falling in love with Freedan?'" She asked,
imitating Revellia's deep baritone, not noticing Freedan's head
snapping up and his eyes fastening on her. She bumbled along. "And I
would've been like, `yeah, but he plans on killing me!' and he'd've
been like `well that settles that! Freedan, are you falling in love
with Nerouki?' And you could've been like--"

"Yes, but I had a vision of her betraying me." He whispered.

"And that would have been that! But ohhhhh no! They have to take the
long emotional roller coaster way and make us both suffer immense pain
and I can't believe you're falling in love me. Are you really? My God!
And I betrayed you? Bitches... My God! Are you ready for a
relationship? I can understand where from your position you wouldn't
be ready for a relationship but... My God, I'm rambling aren't I?"

He looked at her and seem to fall endlessly into her eyes, her
beautiful blue and black eyes. Then he sighed and taking a deep
breath, he ran one hand lazily up her exposed thigh, the other resting
limply in his lap. She watched his hand, transfixed, and when he
gathered her hand up in his and brought it to his lips. The flesh of
her hand was soft and smooth in his touch and he felt her eyes burning
into him. He raised his eyes, somewhat sheepishly and wondered if he
always came off seeming this confused when it came to anything co-ed.

But in Nerouki's eyes he was moving with slow, deliberate, sureness.
Only the faint tremor in his hand showed how nervous he was. She
remembered his lower lip had trembled at the restaurant and how some
part of him always betrayed his emotions. She smiled at him, a blush
creeping into her cheeks and he gave her that handsome grin of his as
he slowly drew her into his arms, letting her hand fall to his thigh.
They were locked in a tight embrace, Nerouki sobbing and confessing
everything just like she had in the vision and Freedan drinking in the
comfort and stability. When he released her she wiped her eyes and
asked if she looked ok. He laughed and told her she looked fine before
pulling his legs underneath him and telling her everything that was on
his mind.

"You know, I bet this is what the awkward teenage stage is like. I
don't know what your boundaries are, I don't know what exactly to do
that you like especially and I feel like the biggest idiot trying to
talk to you about it." He blushed and flashed that smile of his that
always melted her. He sighed. "But I'm not sure how far I'm ready to
take this." He searched her eyes as he spoke his next words. "Do you
think you could wait for me? I don't want to hold you back."
She nodded and he let out a deep sigh of relief and just held her.
There was a brief pulse at the shield and then a five minute pause.
During that pause Freedan and Nerouki situated themselves and when the
Gods came in they stared at them levelly.

"How'd it go?" Revellia asked, his eyes fixed on Nerouki.

"We couldn't confess," Freedan said. "We decided we might as well rush
into this so fast we won't be able to stop."
Revellia looked furious and Plaeysata disgusted.

"We can't afford them to hate each other!" She snapped.

"We can't afford hesitation either. Let's initiate them and begin our
strategy."
"Close your eyes. It won't hurt, we promise." Plaeysata said, her
voice husky with defeat. They did and soon found themselves in an
ethereal plane of existence.

"This is the Abyss."
"I thought people got damned to the Abyss." Freedan said.

"They do, and it is the emptiness in their souls that make the Abyss."

"Charming. We're in a vast sea of hopelessness." He muttered as he
crouched down and watched the swirling eddies of colour fade about
him. Plaeysata was holding up something that was setting off a warm
glow, and Revellia something that set off a cold glow. He looked up
and saw two medallions with the Japanese words for life and death on
them. Freedan was handed the one for Death and Nerouki the one for
life.

"Your predominant attributes. You're both dark creatures who have a
touch of Death, but where you Rule it Nerouki, Freedan bathes in it.
Nerouki, you are to stand over there on the star, Freedan you will
stand on the circle."

They got into their positions and when Nerouki looked down, she saw
there a pentagram drawn in what looked like white chalk, only they
weren't standing on anything substantial. She watched as Plaeysata
raised both her arms and began to chant.

"Hail to Guardians of the Watch Tower of the East. Bless my soul and
restore my purity for in this rite I will need every ounce of strength
I can muster and I must not let that strength be tainted by ill will.
By the sylphs and zephyrs, I ask of you to stay and guide me through
this strenuous ritual I perform with only faith as my weapon against
any evil that may try to leak into my heart." She lowered her arms,
her body beginning to glow with a whitish blue hue. She bowed her head
and Nerouki felt it was her turn. She'd have to wing it.

"Hail to the Guardians of the Watch Tower of the South. Bless my soul
and restore my purity for in this rite I will need every ounce of
strength I can muster and I must not let that strength be tainted by
ill will. By the salamanders and Dragons, I ask of you to stay and
guide me through this strenuous ritual I perform with only faith as my
weapon against any evil that may try to corrupt my heart." She also
lowered her arms, watching out of the corner of her eyes as Revellia
raised his arms for every inch she lowered hers. It was like some sort
of weird choreographed dance.

"Hail to the Guardians of the Watch Tower of the World. Bless my soul
and restore my purity for in this rite I will need every ounce of
strength I can muster and I must not let that strength be tainted by
ill will. By the Undines and nymphs, I ask of you to stay and guide me
through this strenuous ritual I perform with only faith as my weapon
against any evil that may try to destroy my heart."

"Hail to the Guardians of the Watch Tower of the West. Bless my soul
and restore my purity for in this rite I will need every ounce of
strength I can muster and I must not let that strength be tainted by
ill will. By the Mother Creator Lorelei herself, I ask of you to stay
and guide me through this strenuous ritual I perform with only faith
as my weapon against any evil that may try to invade my heart." He
lowered his arms and the others raised their heads. In the center
began a green glowing ball, representing the Earth element that they
had lacked. Then Plaeysata's Magick flowed into it, then Nerouki's,
Revellia's and Freedan's. A voice, so beautiful and feminine rose from
that glowing ball. Neither Nerouki nor Freedan had any doubt it wasn't
the Mother Creator Herself.

"What will come next will be painful. But don't worry my children,
this will only be a physical pain. Hopefully, your emotional turmoil
will become a bit more bearable after today. Make me proud with your
results, now that you have made me proud with your strength of will."
*

Freedan ground his teeth against the head splitting, bone shattering,
brain crush-ing, kidney squeezing, spleen engulfing, mind wrecking,
bowel shaking, ass raping, teeth chattering, heavily orchestrated pain
that seared through him almost to the point where he thought he would
pass out. Sweat poured off his body and he felt his pulse in every
vein in his body, his neck tense and sore. He opened his eyes and
through the spots of light that he fought back, along with the cool
darkness of unconsciousness, he saw Nerouki, who looked beautiful in
what looked like blinding red light. She didn't seem to be in nearly
as much pain as him. Nor did Revellia and Plaeysata. Hoping they
wouldn't think he was a wuss, he sucked it up and gritted his teeth
harder, trying to hold back the screams of anguish he wanted to let
out. It felt as if his muscles were tearing away from his bones. Then,
he felt Nerouki 'patching to him and he could hear her beautiful voice
singing.

I know it's hard please try to coax me

Try to elevate me to the level of choice

A scarlet sky a silver moon is a veil before my eyes

How can she be so in tune

Tear me in two

And bore a little hole

That I can see right through

Your diversions my digression

Take me apart

Suck my blood until you stop my heart

You encumber my progression

And then you save me

It slips by, it slips right by

Much to my surprise

And you think that I drink too much

Yeah well I don't mind

I don't mind

I think of all the time we've wasted

I think of all our time apart

Your scathing tongue is not the one

That I need anymore

He stared at her, how perfect the song was and then the pain
dissipated and he slumped to the ground. The last thought he had had
something to do with Frank Zappa, Alanis Morrissette and Warren Zevon
in a wild orgy when Marilyn Manson comes in to break it up. He could
have sworn he was high again.

**^**

Freedan was sore and aching everywhere. He tried to move but that only
intensified the pain. He knew he was lying down on a bed, his chest
burning the most. Phoebe was sitting above him, wrapping his forearms
in bandages. Or maybe she was unwrapping them. Endless white, he
couldn't focus, the room was spinning, amber eyes invading his sight
and he passed out blissfully.

"See? Your ugly mug could knock anybody out!" Airiad laughed
cheerfully and then coughed when those amber eyes settled on him. "I
was talking to Ice, of course," he mumbled and then got jostled by an
annoyed Ice. Nerouki was lying on a similar table, unused to the
experience but unhurt. She awoke and when she saw Freedan she gasped.

"Poor guy gets the endless shit knocked out of him, eh?" Flaem asked,
giving her a handsome smile. She grinned weakly and accepted the glass
of water. He helped her drink it. She then sat up, swaying slightly,
and watched as Phoebe continued to unwrap her twin. Her face was taut
with stress and worry, but she was a beautiful woman, nonetheless,
inheriting only the beautiful traits of her parents, whereas Freedan
somehow wound up with a large nose and strong jaw, instead of Phoebe's
delicate features. However, resemblance was unmistakable. They were
family.

Freedan's eyes fluttered open and he stared at his sister, obviously
fighting to remain conscious. He gave an annoyed grunt and passed out
again. Phoebe gave Airiad a look that told him to keep his comments to
his goddam self and he sat back, a gloomy expression on his face.
Three hours later, Phoebe had managed to unwrap Freedan's upper torso
and was working on his stomach and hips. Freedan's eyes struggled open
yet again and he let out a low groan from a dry throat, hoarse from
screaming. His gaze swung around and settled on Nerouki who was
looking weary. When catching his gaze she gave him a cheerful smile
and he fought to return it. He couldn't and she moved closer,
smoothing back his hair.

-What the Hel happened to me?- he 'pathed to her.

-We were on the giving end, being the elements, but the spirit is a
combination of all the elements and since you played the part of the
spirit, you had to absorb a lot of foreign Magick into your body. And
let me tell you, you have an impressive immune system because it
fought like hell! Try not to talk, you screamed a lot and we think you
ruptured a few vocal cords.-

-Oh,- he seemed to groan. -But my voice was my sexiest feature, don't
you think?- He gave her a devilish look and she returned it.

-Actually, I was thinking that your--- She looked up and he listened
as Plaeysata said something. Nerouki nodded and stood, moving away.
Freedan fought back panic and succumbed to the cool darkness again.

"Well, the burns will scar and remain there forever, eternally marking
you as Gods." Plaeysata said, indicating the mark of life just to the
left of Nerouki's navel. Then she looked and saw the mark of death to
the right of Freedan's.

"What's the difference in our bodies now?" She asked. The room was
empty, just the Quartet, thrice united.

"You will find you have greater reserves on your Gyft, that you're
harder to kill, that you Regenerate when you didn't before and that
when you do, it uses less Magick so you can probably Regenerate half
as many times plus your normal amount before you perish and join the
underworld." Revellia answered, ticking this off his fingers
systematically. Nerouki nodded.

"He'll be fine. He was the catalyst, that's always hard. Take care of
him and call us when you have need."
"Wait! When do we fight against Necris?"
"We will be here when he attacks. Keep your men at arms. We're unsure
of his exact time." Then they were gone and Freedan groaning in his
sleep, needing water. With her own groan she got the pitcher but he
awoke before she could touch it to his lips.

"I need blood," he rasped.

She blinked and almost without hesitating, slit her wrist horizontally
and let him drink until he pushed her hand away. She was feeling a
little weak now and she lay down beside him and they fell into an
uneasy yet companionable sleep.

**^**

"They look so cute." Airiad said to Ice and Flaem as they entered.
Flaem rolled his eyes and Ice glared at Airiad who shrugged and
muttered something about wrestling and him being misunderstood.

They shook them awake.

"What is it?" Freedan rasped, pulling his arm from Nerouki's body and
stretching.

"The Gods left."
"We're here," Nerouki said pointedly and Flaem swiftly apologized.

"The stronger Gods are gone." Airiad amended before getting hit in the
head. Flaem thanked Ice who nodded and then they turned to Nerouki and
she took her queue and began to repeat everything Revellia had told
her. They nodded and were off, swords in their hands/ Nerouki stood
and helped Freedan stand before she realized he was still naked.
Unabashed, he went and got his clothes.

"Um." She said, rocking on her heels.

He turned. "Yeah?"
"You've no shame lad!" She said, adapting an Irish accent.

He shrugged. "All the women I came in contact with had no problem with
my body so neither do I." He said indifferently. He seemed to catch
himself and hurriedly pulled on his pants and boots. "Unless you do,"
he said hastily.

"Oh no, no!" She said, shaking her hands emphatically. Then she froze
and he laughed. "I feel so stupid. I think it's great you know you
have nothing to be ashamed of." He gave her that lop sided grin that
always made her grin right back, probably equally as crooked.

"Nor do you, but then, I've always been excessively arrogant. I
suppose that's the drawback of being everybody's bitch."
She laughed. "You're not my bitch."
"Nor will I ever be." He said with a wink although the warning was
there anyway.

She gave him a hurt look. "I'm not like the others. I'm not using you
because you're here, but because I'm in love with you."*

His guard dropped and she saw the sparkling violet eyes he hid from
her behind that black mask. "I know," he apologized. "I'm just
defensive... I don't mean to be..."
She leaned up, resting her hands against his bare shoulders, and she
kissed him passionately, literally taking his breath away. He stared
down at her in awe and then blushed, looking for his shirt. She smiled
to herself, happy to know she had some power over him. When he was
finally dressed, they headed out and joined the army that had
gathered. Freedan had regained his regal disposition and bossed them
around like a veteran. But then, we're all veterans of our own inner
wars, so why shouldn't he? She thought. Then, with her own sword in
hand, she followed him and helped set up ranks. When the army was
organized they set up a schedule and told everybody where to look and
in what order. Then Freedan took his personal army of seven, and they
went off to the lobby where they would put together a strategy.

**^**

"Geria isn't all the big," Freedan mused. It was late and most of the
others had passed out on the couches or in chairs while Freedan
remained awake to ponder the map of Shadowia. "They couldn't attack
from the west because that's where Foresta lies..." His eyes were
beginning to burn and he felt a yawn beginning in his chest. "Or the
north because of the mountains, so that leaves only the east and south
to be protected." For some reason he thought of Plaeysata and Nerouki,
both the east and south points during the Guardian ceremony. He
frowned and rolled up the map, sticking it back in its case. He
searched the curled up bodies and the stretched out figures until he
found a slender one clad in battle armour. He smiled and bent forward
over her, kissing her lips lightly before he turned and found his own
chair, where he curled up and fell promptly asleep.

Morning came and Phoebe shook him awake.

"Wha-?" He groaned, opening an eye.

"The Shadowians are restless. They want to know why there are armed
officers patrolling the city and what they can do to help.

Ever since Freedan had rescued them from the monarchy that was the
Dynasty, he had gained the Shadow peoples' undying loyalty. Now he let
them have a say in his decisions concerning their World and let them
gear up for battle if they thought it necessary. Truth be known,
Freedan didn't have the patience to argue with his stubborn people.
They pissed him off sometimes.

"Wake Nerouki. We'll make a speech." He said, flipping his legs over
the side of the chair and setting them on the floor.

"Wake Nerouki?" Phoebe asked, raising an eyebrow. Airiad and Ice were
peering over her shoulder, looking equally interested. Freedan
scowled.

"Yes, wake Nerouki!"
"Why?" Ice asked, for once taking Airiad's role of thoughtlessness.

Freedan stretched as he stood, his eyes squeezed shut, pretending to
block out the world along with his vision. When he opened them,
however, the world was still there. His scowl returned. "Because if
you keep this up Diarnia, she's going to become my new right hand
man." He snapped before storming out.

The Shadowians were assembled on the sprawling front lawns of the
Shadow Palace and Freedan blinked. In that split second he caught a
vision of their death and he suppressed a shiver, lest they see it.
Nerouki, looking ominous in her Dragon Armour, strode up to his side,
her once ankle length hair now cropped close to her head. Her bangs
blew into her face. He gave her arm a squeeze before casting a spell
allowing his voice to be heard in every corner of his World.

"The time has come, where prophecy is to be fulfilled." He said,
hedging a little.

"Prophecy!" Somebody shrieked in mock horror.

"Shut up, Eron!" Freedan snapped. "Yes, prophecy! The Universe is
about to be shuffled loose the mortal coil and it's up to the Quartet
to save it."
"The Quartet of the Gods hasn't been revived in years!" A woman
Freedan knew as Jezebel reasoned.

"It was revived last night... or the night before, it's all kind of a
haze for me. Regardless, you see before you, half of the Quartet."
"You and the Dead Queen?" Somebody asked.

Freedan checked to make sure he and Nerouki were the only ones visible
before turning and with a look on his face, answering, "Uh... yeah."
"This is absurd!"
"Eron, I mean it!" Freedan yelled and silence descended. The Shadows
stared at him, sensing the serious nature of their predicament. They
waited while Freedan gathered his patience and Nerouki gathered her
thoughts. She cast the same spell on her own voice before stepping
forward.

"Geria is under attack. We don't know when they will strike, but we
must get everybody inside Geria. It was built with the specific
purpose of protecting the people of Geria, and now is the time to
revive its purpose. Please, pack only what is needed and be here
within an hour. The doors lock then." She turned and left, Freedan
watching her go. The Shadows gave him a collectively quizzical look
before he shrugged, nodded and followed her lead.

"Jesus, take over my country, why don't you!" He hissed, grabbing her
arm. She gave him a radiant smile as they walked to flank the double
doors that led to Geria.

"Don't mind if I do."

"Sir! Everybody's in their positions, High Lord. Is there anything
else you need of us?" Freedan looked up at the sound of Airiad's
voice, serious for once before he shook his head.

"Just get the other six and bring them here," he said. Airiad bowed
and left.

Nerouki smiled at Freedan and backed him up against the wall, kissing
his lips passionately. When she drew away he had a flustered look on
his face, his cheeks darkening. She smiled at him before turning,
seeing Freedan's personal guard approach. Before her stood Sadi and
his six companions with unusually rhyming names; Des, Res, Pez, Kes,
Jes and Fez. The seven bowed and then sheathed their swords.

"High Lord?" Sadi asked.

Freedan, who had forgotten what he wanted to say the instant Nerouki
had pressed herself against him, struggled to regain his composure. "I
just wanted to tell you to remain here. The doors are locked in an
hour and only me and personal staff are allowed to leave, but only if
armed. I want to be called whenever you even think the enemy is in
sight. Got it?"
"Sir, what're you going to be doing?"
Freedan frowned, thinking about Nerouki. "I'll be around. Get to
work."

**^**

The water pounded against his flesh, beating the tension from his
body. He smoothed his hair back, raising his face to the burning jets.
He froze, there was a rustling in his bathroom, and then a spiky
little head poked in and a goofy grin spread across her face. He fixed
her with a scowl.

"I thought you'd want to know this?"
"What?" He bit his lip, wondering what she could possible be doing
here.

Nerouki sensed his embarrassment and began to stall.

"Out with it, Takashi!" He snapped irritably and she gave him an odd
look before telling him that there was a man on the palace lawns that
was putting up a hassle, wanting to see him. Freedan thanked her and
said he'd be out in a few minutes. When he heard the door close he
turned off the water and grabbed a towel, patting his body dry before
putting on the clothes he'd been wearing earlier. Strapping his sword
at his back and his long knife at his hip, he rushed out to the lawns
to see half a legion of men outlining the perimeter of Geria and
another half scoring the lands. He smiled but then his eyes fixed on a
tall man who was talking to Nerouki. Or at least, he assumed it was
male.

His face was a mass of decay and his eyes were burning orbs of green.
Freedan felt his pace falter when the thing looked at him. He forced
himself to look self-assured as he came up. The man had a living body
and Freedan felt a cold wave of terror wash over him. He knew this
man, this species. The stranger, however, was in the midst of bowing.

"High Lord," he said, his breath foul but voice easy and normal,
despite the rot in his face and neck.

"Lord Takashi," Freedan choked out.

"So you know." The creature smirked, revealing healthy enough looking
fangs.

"It's a tad bit evident," said a warrior who just happened to be
patrolling by and also just happened to be listening in. Freedan
shooed her away and she gave him a lofty grin before returning to her
position.

"It is," Freedan agreed lamely.

Nerouki turned to face him and the similarity between the two was
shocking. Both were tall and slender with burning eyes, and although
the man's were just little pits of fire, Nerouki's seemed to burn with
an inner fire as well. They had the same facial structure and the same
arrogant stance and looked to be about the same height and weight.

The being offered a gloved hand. "The name is Necris, High Lord."
"I can't believe this is happening," Freedan muttered to himself as he
ignored the hand. Aloud he said to Necris, "We're not equals so lower
your hand before I perceive it as a threat."
Necris grinned again and lowered his hand to his hip where it rested.
"I just came to discuss a little business." Necris replied easily.

"Business dealing with your wishes to take over the world?" Said a
warrior who just happened to be walking by and just happened to be
listening in. The same one, in fact. Freedan looked up at the sound of
her voice and his eyes narrowed.

"Opal, I'm warning you. Back to your bloody post!"
"Sheesh! And you wonder why I never respected you!" She snorted and
jogged back to where she was supposed to be, handing twenty bucks to
her fellow soldier who grinned and bet her something else obscene. She
sighed and was about to head back when Freedan glared at her. She
fished out twenty more bucks and crossed her arms, returning to her
guard.

"What sort of business, Necris?"
He wouldn't call him Takashi, wouldn't let himself get confused. He
couldn't believe these two were related, and yet, he had known before
the two had even acknowledged it to each other. He glared at the dead
man who grinned a ghastly grin and crossed his arms, leaning against a
solid yet invisible wall. He had thrown up a spell that both concealed
them and the sound of their voices. Freedan held up a hand. Warning
Nerouki not to destroy it. He wanted to hear what this bastard had to
say, after all.

"As you know, Lady Takashi, or is it Freno now?" Necris' eyes seemed
to be looking directly at Freedan, who returned the look with a
scathing glance. "As you know," he started again, "We are related, of
the same species, which is a rare one indeed. The living dead, we are
called, zombies in some cultures, ghouls in others and beasts of the
unknown to most. But you and I are two peas in a pod. I am one of your
brothers, Takashi, and I've been looking for you for a long time."
Freedan felt bile rise in his throat. He paled visibly because he felt
Nerouki's hand squeeze his, but he pulled it away, stubborn in his
attempt to look like he could handle this. He could handle this. He
would handle this.

"You have a second brother too. His name is Ukatani Murasame Takashi,
and he's the High Assassin of the Guild."
"Where is she?" She asked, taking this with relative ease.

"Good question. He's the business I came to talk to you about.
However, I thought your devoted lover the High Lord here would like to
listen in, since he likes to think he knows what's going on in the
Universe."
Freedan thought he couldn't get any angrier than he already was. He
had to clench his hands into fists at his sides, fighting back the
urge to pull one of his weapons free and attack this jerk who stumbled
through his defenses. But then the thought of choking him with his
bare hands became ever so appealing and he crossed his arms.

"You kidnapped my brother?!"
"I am the oldest in this family and by Shadowic laws, I dictate how it
is to be run. Our idiot of a mother kept us boys hidden from you, her
precious daughter, because she feared we would corrupt you. But look!
You're fucking the High Lord! As if you're not already corrupted. Our
mother is insane.
"However, she is also dead."

"You killed Kashi?" Freedan's mouth dropped open.

Necris grinned that twisted grin and nodded.

"She wasn't really one of us anyway. She was part of a peace
encouraging syndicate that was devoted to wiping out our race," he was
once again talking to his sister. "The race of the dead, however,
cannot be wiped out, but only added to. She was stupid, as is
everybody else in that little association. But thanks to my slave
child Ukatani, that little `clan' has been eliminated. Now there are
only you and your followers, High Lord, that need to be taken care of
and the Universe is mine for the taking!"
"Now that you've practically sketched out your life dreams for me, why
are you here?" Nerouki asked, rolling her eyes, hand resting on the
hilt of her sword.

"I was telling Ukatani that if you didn't bow down to us, you would
have to be eliminated too, but he couldn't do that. Therefore he has
betrayed me and is now my hostage. I will exchange his life for your
obedience."
"May I meet him first before you kill him?" Nerouki asked coldly,
without hesitation.

Necris' eyes seemed to narrow and he nodded slightly. "Follow me."

The man who was brought to them was as tall as Nerouki with waist long
red hair like Cristofer and burning eyes, red as his hair, with
hatred.

Ukatani spit on Nerouki, and she wiped it from her cheek, her eyes
widening.

"You're weak for giving into this man so easily!" He seethed.

"We came to watch your execution, not because we're giving in,"
Freedan said, angered by this man's disrespect.

Nerouki tugged her gloves on, tightening them at the wrist as she took
in Ukatani's frame. He was muscular and yet slender, a lot like
Necris. There was no doubt of relation.

Necris turned to Nerouki and Freedan, blatantly ignoring Ukatani's
presence.

"I will overtake the Universe and make all the races live in perfect
harmony. You will fall unless you commit yourselves to me and my
principles. I have no qualms about killing my own flesh and blood." He
untied Ukatani and shoved his brother towards the High Lord, who
caught the stumbling man by the arm. "Take this worthless fool. Better
he die with family than without. The Gods know I'm no brother of his."
Necris disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

"Cool! How'd he do that?" Freedan asked and the shield dropped. They
were in the middle of the Valley of Death. They frowned as beings
began to manifest from the mud at their feet. "These creatures look
oddly like the evil Mud Men who dwell in the Valley of Death." He
looked around. "Those mountains look oddly like the Shakhakhira
Mountains that frame the Valley of Death." He put his hands on his
hips and turned his puzzled face to his companions. "I wonder where
the hell we are."

" I knew I should have mastered Teleport," Ukatani hissed, muttering
the names of spells that could possibly get him back where he wanted
to be.

Nerouki gave Freedan a scathing glare before tearing free her sword
and, pressing her back against Freedan's, began to cut down the beasts
while Ukatani rummaged through the mental archives of spells. Nerouki
could feel Freedan's rippling muscles flexing as he cut down the
demons. Most of them dealt with death and poison, but he was
determined to get at least himself and his sister out of this vast
wasteland.

Ukatani's eyes lit up suddenly before taking on a dreamy look. His
lips moved but no words could be heard. A cool wind blew across
Nerouki's sweating body and she felt her limbs grow heavy. She heard
Freedan's diamond sword fall to the ground with a soft thud, and felt
his body slide down hers as he dropped to his knees and then face
forward in the dirt. Gathering as much strength as she could, she gave
Ukatani a betrayed look before she passed out on top of Freedan.

Ukatani took a step closer to the unconscious bodies and steepled his
fingers, resting his nose against the tips, closing his eyes and
raising his voice. The gentle breeze became an intense gale and soon
the mud was dried out and their bodies were lifted by the wind, moving
them swiftly through Shadowia and dumping them in the midst of battle
on Geria's front lawns.

**^**

Freedan awoke with a start. Huddled in a little ball on the floor was
Nerouki. His hand flew to his shoulder where he felt the reassuring
weight of his sword. He swept his gaze around the lobby of Geria and
they rested on the dark blue eyes of Ukatani. Freedan stood and gave a
quick survey of the other wounded men and women in the room. He
stretched and strode over to where Ukatani was crouched, some distance
from his sister.

"So you knew the spell." Freedan said flatly.

"I knew parts of it and had to improvise the rest," Ukatani relayed
reluctantly.

"How long did it take?"
"Two hours." Ukatani stood, but he hardly came up to the High Lord's
height. He tilted his head back so he could look Freedan in the eyes,
summoning a fierce attitude. "You should thank me. We didn't arrive a
moment too soon."
"How are my people?" Freedan asked, distracted by a healer hurrying
by. His hand circled her upper arm and her head snapped up, eyes wide
and fearful.

"Three hundred wounded, half that dead and dying, sir."
"Any of the generals in here?"
"The... generals?"
"Sadi and six men. I appointed them generals."
She paled. "The rhymed names... I thought there was something weird
about that... They're all dead, except for Lord Sadi. He lies wounded
by the western wall."
"Why did you think it strange?"
She winced, his hand tightening and cutting off circulation, but she
didn't dare speak up. "They were of the same race as your lady, dead
but not."
"And now they're dead more than before?"
"Obliterated. Their souls, which remained inside their dead bodies,
were torn from them and they died in agony."
"Shit. Go on with you." Freedan turned to Ukatani. "We should go see
Sadi."
"But Crisjanis--" Ukatani started.

"Will be fine. Let's go!" Freedan strode off and Ukatani followed a
minute later, hesitating to drop an amulet into Nerouki's loose fist
before following after Freedan.

Sadi looked up, his red eyes blinking in the dim light. His black hair
hung in sweaty locks into his forehead and he was very pale. Freedan
and Ukatani knelt beside him, Freedan taking up his limp hand.

"What the hell were you thinking, bringing dead guards with you?"
"They're called the Ban'nin de Morte." Sadi hissed. His eyes flicked
briefly to Ukatani. "He's one and so is that precious mistress of
yours. Why do you think I was so fascinated with her?"
"What's so fascinating about these Ban'nin de Morte?" Freedan asked.
Ban'nin meant guard, or watchman in Japanese and morte was obviously
death. Guards of death, he thought grimly. How dramatic!

Sadi grinned. "Their insatiable lust always attracted to me. They
hunger for anything living, which makes sense. You're alive more than
anybody, what with bloods from almost all the races. However, Vampires
are basically dead, so you dabble in the hunger for life, as you've
probably picked up on. However, the Ban'nin de Morte are fierce
fighters and once they pledge their life to somebody or something,
they're unstop-pable. They're a branch of my father, Diablos, and his
race of miscreants."

"Is the wound mortal?" Freedan asked suddenly, his brain shooting off
in another direction. Sadi managed a weak shake of the head.

"Just draining. I need sleep, that's all."
"Where are you injured?" Ukatani asked softly.

Sadi grinned. "Apparently whilst out in the battle field, I came down
with something or other and upon further examination, I needed a
appendectomy." Freedan lifted the blanket and sure enough, there was a
neat scar where his appendix was removed. "It's a neat scar and your
sister is a helluva healer. If she wasn't in love with Simonson--"
"Simonson is dead." Freedan said flatly. "Necris wiped out the Elpoep
Realm's inhabitants and now they have to be rebuilt."

Sadi managed a weak laugh. "I would help your sister build the Realm."
Freedan winked, standing up. "Get better Sadi. And then get your ass
out there before I make sure you have something else removed."

"I'd kick you if I could," Sadi grumbled, pulling his blanket up
around his shoulders before falling into a restless sleep. Freedan let
Ukatani go stay with his sister while Freedan ran off to find the
tired healer in the kitchen making tea. He quickly set to work laying
fresh bandages out. She looked up, startled to find she and the High
Lord alone together.

"I'm sorry about earlier," he said, looking up.

She stared at him, her mouth slightly agape.

"I shouldn't have hurt your arm like that, I wasn't thinking." She
must have realized her mouth was gaping open as it quickly snapped
shut. "Need some rest? I'll do this while you take a light nap."
"High Lord, you shouldn't. This is my job as a healer and you have to
be out on the battlefields, ridding Shadowia of this plague."
Freedan put his hands on her shoulders, pushing down until she was
sitting in a chair near the warm oven. "I don't think you can do your
job very well when your exhausted." He grinned and within minutes she
was asleep. The spell wore off after an hour and when she awoke, she
felt as if she had slept for a full night. The tea was sitting on the
counter with a warming spell over it, and several pounds of clean
cloth had been cut into neat strips for bandages. She sighed with
relief and resumed working.

Freedan threw himself against his opponent, his bulk throwing the
smaller man off his feet. Freedan held his sword with both hands as he
thrust it down through the man's head, shattering his skull into a
thousand tiny pieces. His eyes stared up at Freedan for the split
second it took for the force of the blow to shatter his entire head.
Freedan spun, sensing a presence, but he only saw a large Dragon
staring down at him with huge amber eyes.

Are you Freedan Freno? The Dragon asked.

"Yeah," Freedan panted. "Who're you?"
Call me Plichaeus. Ukatani ran away.

"That bastard. He's an assassin, why isn't he killing?"
He took Nerouki to Sarcasia.

"Sarcasia?! But why?"
He wanted her to see the destruction wreaked upon their mother.

"Kashi," Freedan whispered, sheathing his bloodied sword. "Can you
take me to Sarcasia, Plichaeus?"
Nerouki requested I do just that. Careful though, there is fighting in
the air.

"More Dragons?"
Nerouki asked us to do this for her. We would never deny her anything.
She saved our race. She is our Mother.

Freedan felt his cheeks flush briefly, thinking about Nerouki as a
mother, and then he began to feel jealous. He stepped forward and
placed his hands against the pulsing flesh of Plichaeus' side but the
Dragon snorted with derision.

Did Nerouki teach you nothing? Walk up to my snout and climb up
between my eyes. Then sit down and we will head off. We should hurry,
Nerouki didn't look happy.

Freedan did so and feeling dumb he meekly asked "Where exactly do I
sit?"

Plichaeus chuckled, a soft rumbly sound. Do you feel just beneath my
skull the flexible scales? Straddle my neck and slide your knees
beneath those scales. Hold on to my horns and we will be off. Freedan
found the position somewhat uncomfortable but then powerful wings beat
to either side of him and before he knew it, they were in the air. He
felt his stomach drop and bit back a wave of nausea as it threatened
to manifest itself through his stomach contents.

The cliffs of Sarcasia became visible and Freedan stood and hopped
off, landing in a crouch. Plichaeus disappeared into the midst of
battle while Freedan unsheathed his sword and dashed off silently into
the woods.* He quickly found Ukatani and Nerouki walking side by side
through the well worn paths of Sarcasia's forest.

"Kashi died because of us, we owe her our lives."
"I owe a mother I never knew nothing." Nerouki snapped bitterly.

"But you owe the High Lord your obedience? I learned about the Ban'nin
de Morte from Sadi today. You have pledged yourself to him, have you?"
Ukatani stopped and grasped her shoulders, shaking her violently. "Did
you?"

"What does it matter to you, Murasame?!" She yelled. "You mean nothing
to me, Necris means nothing to me. The only family by blood I have is
Cristofer because he raised me! I never knew anybody else in my
family, hell, I only saw Kashi once! And that was because Freedan took
me to see her!"
Freedan crept through the bushes, skating around so he would be in
front of them.

"I don't know where you get the idea that because we're family we're
to remain loyal to each other! This isn't a guild, Murasame! This is
life! Why do you think Necris wouldn't bow down to you?"

Murasame struck her hard across the face and before he knew what hit
him, his jaw had been broken by the iron clad fist of the High Lord.
Freedan had lunged forward and with his right arm, he had protectively
wrapped up Nerouki, while with the left he threw a vicious punch.
Ukatani healed himself and got to his feet.

"Bastard!" Ukatani hissed.

"By birth and by temperament." Freedan merrily agreed, letting go of
Nerouki and glancing down in mild disgust at the gelatinous fluid that
was transferred from her wings to his arm.

"Freedan," Nerouki frowned. "You shouldn't have come--"
"Plichaeus brought me, he was worried and so was I." His eyes never
left Ukatani's furious gaze "Now why don't you just tell me what the
hell you were up to, Ukatani."

"She needs to see her people," he mumbled, his eyes dropping to the
ground.

"I don't think they're her people if she doesn't know them." Freedan
said.

"I want her to see what Kashi's children brought upon the Elv'n."
"Kashi was looking for trouble by not having kids out of love, but out
of some freak strategy of hers to bring the ever unobtainable peace to
the Universe."

"This is insane!" Nerouki hissed and she dashed forward and belted
Ukatani in the gut. "Who the hell do you think you are you bastard?!"

"I don't expect you to trust me--"

The Dragons are falling! Nerouki please come fight with us! Plichaeus
was there, crashing through the trees with his enormous girth. He
flopped down and offered his nose to Freedan and Ukatani while Nerouki
jumped into the air and flew off. Plichaeus was right behind her but
then they were thrown into the midst of battle and it was all Freedan
and Ukatani could do to hang on.

Plichaeus took a hit to his right wing and screamed in outrage,
reaching out with his claws and plucking his enemy from the sky. As
they plummeted towards the ground, Plichaeus angled them so they
landed on the enemy and Freedan felt a warm rush of blood spray up
over him. He quickly leapt off Plichaeus and rushed out into the
battlefield, sword unsheathed although all ground battle had ceased as
friend and foe alike had turned their attention to the sky.

A body came tumbling down and then another. Reptilian bodies plummeted
to the ground with Nunchaku marks in very important places. Then a
body came thundering down and the reptiles in the sky let out a
collective sigh of relief. All the Dragons landed and crowded around
the body and Freedan's heart dropped. He began to run through the
masses of bodies, pushing them out of his way. A loud crying rose up
from nowhere and he broke through the ring of Dragons, realizing the
pitiful wail came from his own throat.

Nerouki opened her eyes and gazed at the human blood falling towards
her face. She blinked as it hit her cheek just below her eye. She
reached up a trembling gloved hand and touched his face, his head
bowing as he sobbed helplessly. The Dragons backed off, hearing the
High Lord was indestructible, both physically and emotionally.
Everything went silent as death.

"You're so weak," she said in derision.

He managed a smile. "I am, aren't I? Allowing my guard to drop."

She smiled weakly as he flopped down beside her, supporting her with
an arm. "We'll get Phoebe out here and she'll heal you, you'll be good
as new! Then I can end this stoopid squabble, make Necris happy and we
can live together happily."
"Think about your people, don't think about me."

-Nerouki, I have to think about you! You're the only person who truly
under-stands me!-

-Phoebe doesn't understand you?- Her eyes met his, those black
glittering depths drawing him in.

-Only to a certain extent, but I've let you see everything there is to
me.-

-Not everything,- she sighed deeply.

-We'll get Revellia and Plaeysata and the three of us will heal you!-

-Don't sound so desperate, High Lord. It's pathetic.-

"I love you. Is that pathetic?"
Her cheeks flushed and her lower lip trembled. "Don't say that now..."
"And let you leave me without knowing?"
"You've held back all this time!" She tried to yell, but she was
beyond anything but profound sorrow.

Freedan mentally called on Revellia, Plaeysata and Phoebe and he felt
their scents drawing near. He felt relieved, somewhat. Everything
would be ok. Everything had to be ok. Nerouki was already dead so she
had no reason to be eliminated from existence.

-I was scared, Nerouki. I felt as if I had to live up to this
overwhelming persona the public has created for me and in order to do
that, I couldn't let myself fall in love with you.- He lowered her
down to the ground, lowering himself as well. His blood smeared face
looked so pale and frightened and young at the moment, his lips
slightly parted, his breath warm on her face. She closed her eyes and
trembled. -But now I have no reason to be scared, just angry.- His
lips met hers and she felt her body go limp, giving herself over to
him. -Angry for being stoopid and letting you get away.- He stood and
swept off his cloak. He placed it gently over her and turned to find a
sword point to his throat.

Necris' eyes glared at him.

"You've won, Necris. Shadowia is yours." Freedan said.

Necris' eyes widened and Nerouki jumped to her feet, a wing falling
almost to the ground, hanging from several threads. "NO!" She reached
up and pulled free Freedan's sword and with great difficulty and
strain, held it to Necris' heart.

Necris and Freedan stared at her.

"The way to kill the Ban'nin de Morte is to pierce their heart and
then decapitate them so now piece of the spirit can remain in their
body, is this correct?"
"Yes," Necris spoke slowly, carefully.

"Then I am not scared to do it. I am Shadow and I am noble and I say
that the noble Shadowians will bow down to no one inferior to the High
Lord." With that she impaled him on the sword, whipping her own sword
out with her right hand and slicing off his head. Freedan, stunned by
Nerouki's ruthlessness, ended up catching the head and the dropping it
in disgust.

Nerouki wobbled and Freedan scooped her off her feet just as Plaeysata
arrived. She stared at Nerouki and her wing, one tucked into the fold
in her back, the other hanging precariously over Freedan's shoulder.
Plaeysata removed her dagger and cut the wing off. Nerouki's eyes got
big and then she passed out. Freedan looked at Plaeysata in horror, as
did Revellia and Phoebe when they arrived. Phoebe took Nerouki's small
bulk and nudged her brother. "Talk to them, Freedan."
Freedan turned and saw millions of men, dead men and Dragons staring
at him with unwavering eyes. Freedan narrowed his own. "Shadowia
remains free from anybody else's clutches. The only ones who will ever
Rule my World are me, Nerouki or any of my personal men. Those of you
who wish not to live here, take your sorry asses and boot it to a
Portal, which will be shut down until Shadowia is rebuilt. Those who
wish to stay may do so, but will have to live like Shadows and not
like the barbarians you all seem to be. Make your decision, Portals
will be destroyed in an hour and then you will have no choice." He
turned to Plichaeus who dropped to what seemed like a bow, the twelve
other Dragons following suit. "Foresta is a huge forest off the side
of Geria, the palace. You and your race are welcome to live there to
make sure your Queen gets better, but I'd feel better if she were with
me."

We understand. The solemn Dragons murmured, rising to their feet.
Freedan began to walk alongside his sister, Plichaeus dropping to his
side.

-You handle people with iron fists.- Plichaeus said. Startled that the
Dragon could do that, Freedan almost stumbled down the steep hill he
was climbing up.

-It is the only way to Rule. Nerouki does it with the dead.-

-She doesn't do it with us. We do not dream of betrayal.-

-That is why Dragons are superior to man.-

End of Part 1

Robledo was injured on the battlefield in a particularly dramatic
fight while Freedan was off saving Nerouki. Unfortunately, his cause
will not be avenged.

* Christ. Well, the rite to become a God was made up mostly from when
I was in a coven and mostly from what I thought would sound dramatic.
I wonder if you, the reader, are taking me seriously, or laughing your
ass off at this. Hmmm... I won't tell you how I hope this comes out
until the end of this book then. Oh yeah, and the song is by the
wonderful and brilliant band Stroke 9, with my wonderful handsome men
Luke, Eric, John and Greg. God, the day I write songs as good as those
guys is the day I start wearing business suits and working 8-5 every
day! Whoa, footnote's huge. Later guys! Ja nei!

* aw, she's using him because she's in love with him. How sweet! -
author's note

* What is silent dashing? Where did this technique originate and how?!