Bastard!! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Macross Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Humanity ❯ Chapter 8

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

Chapter 8

The water here is poisoned. I can sense it. Is this water symbolic of
my blood? Am I poisoned? I am used and broken. And where is Freedan?
Has he made it back safely or has he decided the Universe isn't worth
it?

Your lack of faith in me is devastating to my precious little ego.
Maybe you could tone that down?

Freedan! You remembered!

Of course, but my trip back from that bloody kingdom took quite
sometime for me to get back. I'm afraid we don't have much time. How
soon can you get back into you body? I'm kind of nervous here...

Soon. Keep talking to me. Keep this link open.

Is it a bad thing that I'm nowhere near your body?

Why aren't you?!

It's... disfigured. I couldn't be in the same room as it.

How shallow and superficial of you.

Look--

No, forget it. Picture my body then, as you would like to see it. I
need something to jump into.

My memories?

Just do it! It'll work, trust me.

I trust you.

Good.

And I'm sorry. I didn't ,mean to offend you. I guess I... oh god...
ouch.

~>|<~

Jumping from the Underworld into Freedan's head was tougher than she
thought. He had so many walls she had to tear down and get through.
But then she was sitting up in Geria and looking at a stunned Phoebe.

"I take it Freedan didn't tell you I planned on resurrecting myself?"
"No. Freedan didn't tell me anything."
"Whom are you talking to?" Airiad and Ice walked in and froze when
they saw her. At first they wore horrified expressions on their face
but Airiad was the first to melt. Tears ran down his cheeks as he ran
to her, embracing her tightly.

"My Goddess, you're back!" He sobbed into her hair. "I'm so happy!"

Ice walked calmly up to them and pried Airiad away with some comic
difficulty.

"I too, have been worrying." He said dryly. Then, he broke into his
rare handsome grin and kissed her lips passionately before hugging her
tightly. She blushed deeply, looking up into that handsome face, those
finely chiseled features.

-What's the kiss for?-

-I've always found you attractive.-

-Freedan said I was disfigured.-

-Freedan pays too much attention to what is on the outside. Your
beauty remains on the inside.-

She smiled weakly at him and then returned the hug as powerfully as
she could. Ice held her at arm's length and for the first time, she
saw the unbridled lust in his eyes. She felt her blush deepen but then
Freedan walked in. He gave her a tight passionate hug and Ice made
himself scarce. Nerouki numbly hugged Freedan back.

"How are you feeling?" Freedan asked.

"Out of sorts, but fine." She said with a lame smile. It's hard to
look at you with such open revulsion in your eyes... At least you
don't have it written all over your face. I'll give ya credit for
that, Freno.

"Well, why don't you shower and get dressed and meet me, Plaeysata and
Revellia in my room."

"Ok."

She walked towards her rooms, her heart pounding as she dreaded
walking by the full length mirror in her bathroom. But when she opened
the door, Ice was sitting on her bed. He stared at her, his pale
cheeks turning slightly pink, and she was startled at the sight of it.
He grinned.

"Freedan would kill me if I expressed my feelings."
"I don't understand why you're choosing me. I've seen the way you are
with Phoebe, why not her? She's single and lonely."
"She sees only Rex and will for quite some time. And I would describe
it as mild attraction." Ice said, a slow smile spreading across his
face.

"I don't know why you'd want me...." She began to whine.

Ice stood and walked right up to her. He was a little shorter than
Freedan, but still as irresistibly handsome as him. He gently turned
her around and lifted her up, planting her down in front of the mirror
she had feared seeing. But what she startled her.

Her skin was pale as marble and her lips blood red. Her eyes glowed as
Necris' had, without pupils or an iris, just burning orbs. Aside from
her cheeks looking a little hollow and her hair growing rapidly, what
with the newfound white streak in it, she looked normal. A pair of
cool lips traced a wet path from where her neck met her shoulder, to
her ear.

"I think you're beautiful, and I don't care what Freedan thinks." Ice
whispered in her ear. She blinked back tears, and saw her cheeks
redden slightly. The door swung open and Freedan froze at seeing
Nerouki in Ice's arms.

"What the hell is going on here?" He snapped, placing his right hand
on his hip.

"I was uh..." Nerouki stumbled over the words and then sat down on the
bed numbly. "I was just talking with Ice."
"About what?"
"Is it really your business?" Ice asked coldly, those pale eyes
narrowing.

Freedan's eyebrows almost shot into his hairline and his lips parted
slightly. Then his cheeks reddened and he shook his head, mumbling he
was just checking in on Nerouki. "I'm sorry if I interrupted
anything," he muttered as he quickly left, closing the door silently.
He crept across the hall, opened his door and when he saw the curious
expressions on the Gods' faces, he felt tears well up in his eyes. The
coppery taste of blood filled his mouth and he wiped it away,
disgusted at his kurai tears. He didn't ask to be a mix of almost
every race, he only asked to lead a normal life and even that's too
much to ask nowadays.

"What happened?"

Nerouki and Ice entered a moment later. Ice looked decently solemn and
Nerouki nervous. "Freedan? I'm sorry."
"It's cool." He said with a shrug.

Ice sighed. "No, it's not. I should have just told you, and I should
have told you a while ago. I'm in love with Nerouki."

The confirmation seemed to throw everything out of perspective. His
truths became their lies, their kiss became his torture. He coughed
and then managed a weak grin. "R-really?"

Ice and Nerouki blinked in unison.

"Uh... yeah. Yeah, really." Ice looked at Nerouki who just shrugged.

-Like I know what's going on in his mind.-

-Well... This is unusual.- Ice frowned.

"We should get the ceremony done so the Universe will be saved. Think
you can handle this, Freedan?" Plaeysata lay a hand on Freedan's
shoulder and he nodded numb-ly, his eyes never leaving Ice's.

Ice bowed stiffly before backing out of the room, his eyes flicking to
Nerouki as the door closed. But she was looking at her hands, twisting
before her stomach.

"Now let us open the quarters as we did during the first ceremony."

It began.

~>|<~

"Dude, why are you hiding here in Foresta?" Airiad flopped down and
ran his fingers through the water, bringing them out dry.

"I'm surprised I was even allowed in."

"What are you talking about? We're the High Lord's best friends."
"How much would you like me if I told you I was in love with your
lover?"

"You're in love with Ambergris?" Airiad's temper rose and Ice
frantically waved his hands, trying to calm the Elemental down.

"NO! I meant Nerouki! I was using your opinion as an example of why I
feared I might have died upon attempting entry. Christ!"
"Oh."

"Ambergris? She's ten years younger than you!"

"Yeah... well... everybody has a fetish. What's yours?"
Ice smirked and his expression darkened. "Everybody has a secret,
what's yours?"

"Mine? You don't wanna know."
"And you don't want to know my fetish." Ice stood and the lake iced
over. He sighed angrily at the lake and the lake seemed to glare back,
ripples forming in the ice.

"Ice, tell me. I'm one of your best friends, ever since we met in that
blasted cave with Des. Why can't you trust me?"
"You're such a gossip and a pedophile!" Ice almost yelled.

Airiad looked hurt. "What...? No..."
"Airiad, look at me." Airiad raised sad eyes. "I didn't mean what I
just said. I'm just frustrated and taking it out on the wrong person.
And I know she's not ten years younger than you. I was exaggerating.
I'm sorry."

Airiad gave a watery smile. "When I was six, I went into the Thieves'
Guild in Eastern Germany, where I grew up. They branded me and
tortured me to the verge of death. It was then that my Elemental
talents came forth. I envisioned a huge blast of wind tearing them all
in half, to make them stop hurting me. When I woke up, it had
happened. I was horrified; I ran away from home and traveled over the
Universe for the last eight years. I would give anything to see my
little sister and parents again. But they died during the holocaust,
and I couldn't even say I'm sorry to them."

Ice stared at his friend, and then watched a tear roll down the man's
pale cheek. Ice opened his arms and allowed Airiad to hug him tightly.
The man was distraught.

"Air, you were scared and did what you thought best. You must have
feared that with your inability to control your Gyft, you might hurt
your family. Which would have been very probable, so you saved them a
death at the hands of one they loved and trusted. You did them a
favour, in a way, Airiad."

Airiad sniffed and wiped a tear away. His eyes had reddened and he
looked like he was dying. Ice felt a wave of sorrow wash over him.

"You really think so?"
"I know so." He wrapped an arm around Airiad's shoulder and they
walked back towards their home. "Wanna know my fetish?" He asked
softly, as they neared Geria.

~>|<~

Airiad lay awake, Ice's words repeating themselves on endless loop
through his mind. He could hear the chanting from Freedan's room.
They've been engaged in that damn ceremony for over ten hours now.
What could they possibly be doing? Airiad got up and pulled on the
clothes he had worn earlier. He touched the doorknob and winced, Ice's
words echoing through his mind again. He could only picture Ice doing
it to Nerouki and it broke his heart at the sight. I'm too damn
sentimental, that's my problem. He thrust open his door and stalked
over to Freedan's room. He opened the door and sat down on the couch
next to Ice, Flaem, Ambergris, Phoebe, Yamaria and Truisch.

"Death to the makers of chaos and destruction, may the darkness recede
to where it came from and let our peoples live their lives and suffer
only at the hands of them-selves. Let them see the error of their own
ways." They chanted as Airiad leaned over and kissed Amber's ear. She
smiled and ran her fingers through his hair and then began to `path to
him.

-They've said that line over three hundred times. We were counting,
but then they started saying something else and we lost track.-

-What are they talking about?- Airiad asked, wrapping an arm around
her shoulder and resting her head on his.

-They are talking about the folly of mankind and even though they will
ultimately destroy themselves, there's no need to speed up the process
and kill off the Universe at the same time. A lot of this is
philosophical. Hey Air?-

-Yeah babe?-

-Ice has kept his eye on Nerouki the entire time. He hasn't moved or
blinked or anything. I think he's using his Gyft for something.-

-Hmmm... Interesting. Hey, has Freedan started trying to figure out
what you have the Gyft for?-

-He said he'd get to it after the ceremony and he had rest.-

-Good. I'll keep an eye on Ice, you watch Nerouki, ok?-

-Yep.-

Ice was sitting there, his legs crossed at the knee and hands lying
limply on his thighs. His eyes were glazed over and fixed on Nerouki's
lips with fierce determination. Hints and splashes of colour played
through his clear eyes and his lips occasionally moved, speaking words
Airiad couldn't decipher.

The chanting stopped and Plaeysata caught Nerouki as she fainted and
Revellia Freedan. Airiad turned back to Ice and saw the man blink and
then out of the corner of his eye, he could see Nerouki blink awake.

"Are you alright, Takashi?" Revellia asked as he settled Freedan down
on his bed.

Her eyes flew to Ice, who looked exhausted. "I'm fine thank you. I'll
go to bed and get some rest now, if you all don't mind." She snapped
her fingers at Ice who groaned as he got to his feet and, exchanging a
look, Airiad and Amber followed the two across the hall and into her
room. Nerouki frowned when it was Amber who closed the door.

"What are you two doing here?"
"What was the Magick Ice was performing on you during the ceremony?"
"I was too weak to make it through the ceremony and live, so I drained
his strength while I worked with the Quartet. Is that alright with
you, Calyphis?"

Airiad glared at her. "Bitch." He snapped before he stormed out of the
room.

Amber gave Nerouki an apologetic look. "He's stressed out."
"I understand." Nerouki sighed. "Could you leave, please?"
After giving Ice a curious look, she gently closed the door behind
her.

"Thank you Ice."

"No problem, Nerouki." He smiled at her and she gently caressed his
face.

"Sometimes..." She started, then faltered. Ice gently sat her down on
the bed before lying down on it, his legs hanging off the side.

"No, please continue."
"Sometimes I wonder if I want to be with Freedan." She could sense Ice
perk up, but he betrayed nothing else. His eyes were closed and hands
limp on his chest. "I mean, he's passionate, and funny, and
intelligent and romantic and a good listener if he wants to be of
course, but his mind..."
"Do you love him?"
"What?"

"Do you love him?" Ice repeated.

"I think so."
"Love is always a yes or no question with me. You either do or you
don't. You can love like or hate."

"I love him." She said.

"And you like me?"
"Well, I hardly know you! We hardly ever spend time together..."
"Look, Nerouki," he sat up and looked her dead in the eye. "If you're
contemplat-ing whether you want to be with Freedan because of his
sanity, or lack thereof, then you're going about this all wrong. When
he's with you he's tender and sentimental, is he not? He seems like a
hopeless romantic to me. Am I right?"
"Yes. Yes you are."
"Then what do you care if he's sane or not? He'd obviously die to
protect you, and he almost did just to get you to like him. If I were
you, I'd stick with him. He compliments you to the fullest."

"But how can you say that if you have feelings for me?"
He gave a little smile. "If I love you then I obviously must want you
to be happy, neh? So if you're with somebody else and you're happy,
then I should be happy too, and eventually move on. It's the
never-ending cycle of things, understand?"
"A little, yeah." She nodded. "But..."
"Yes?" He looked down at her, those clear eyes swirling with colours
and yet without. He was so close to her and she wanted to see what he
was like so bad...

"I just wanted to ask if I could..." her eyes were glued to his
perfect mouth, those lips that curled into the most handsome smile,
but could, in an instant, turn into a snarl of derision.

He grinned, flashing his white perfect teeth, and then he pulled her
to him. Her soft body pressed against his and she felt as if she were
melting. His lips were so warm, as was his touch, and his hand
massaging her back eased knots of tension from it. She felt her hands
clutch at his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh and then his
mouth was moving lower. She closed her eyes and felt herself lying
back. Ice's body moved gently against hers, his body warm for the
first time, it seemed. His hands were skillful and relaxing, and
within minutes she felt as if she were going to fall asleep. His lips
met hers one more time and he winked at her.

"If Freedan ever leaves you unsatisfied, you know where to find me,
luv."

She blushed but nodded and he gave her a sweet yet sad smile. He
kissed her lips one last time, a lingering kiss, a kiss of departure.
Just his luck, the door opened and Freedan groaned. Nerouki was wide
awake suddenly and she and Ice were staring horror at the High Lord as
he stood there, right hand on his hip and his forehead in his left.

"It's not what you think, Freno." Ice said desperately and Nerouki
froze. She had never seen Ice this panicked.

"What could I possibly be thinking?" Freedan asked, removing his hand
and rolling his eyes. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his
legs at the ankle and shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Well, Nerouki and I were just talking and I asked her to make a
choice and she chose--"
"Forget it. I don't want to hear this." Freedan pushed himself off the
wall and turned to leave when Nerouki called out.

"Freedan you moron!"

"Yes?"
"You're being dumb! Why do you automatically think I wouldn't choose
you?"
Must be low self-esteem, I guess. "I don't know."

"Freedan, she did choose you. And I told her to. She loves you!"
I want to hear her say it.

"Freedan, what are you thinking?"

"Why were you kissing him?"
"It was a goodbye kiss." Nerouki said.

"I believe you." He turned around and they stared. Blood ran in steady
streams down his face, and he wiped it away self consciously.

"Freedan, I'm such an asshole." Ice whispered as he stood up and
walked towards his old friend.

Freedan gave him a weak smile. "Ah, no you're not. I did this to her
when Truisch professed his love to her." He shoved his hands in his
pockets and made no move to leave, and neither did Ice.

"Guys, I have the full intention of getting some sleep tonight."
"Good night, Nerouki." Ice gave her one last look, and then a wink
before he strode from the room, a song running through his head.

How many people wanna kick some ass?

I used to be a nerd, grew up in the suburbs

Nothing there ever went wrong, made it up in this song

I talk about the hood, I say stuff like it's all good

Tell people I'm down with all the cool kids downtown

When I've never even been there

How many people wanna kick some ass?

I do, I do!

How many people set the hole in the pack

I am, well I am too.

So don't ever lay another finger on her

She's mine and I still want her

If you put your hands upon her you're a goner, goner

How many people set the hole in the pack

I am, I am!

And how many people wanna kick some ass

Well I would if I could!

But I'm really just a sensitive artist

Perpetrated like I am the hardest

So swing your cap around to the back

You think you rhyme but you can't rap

Loosen that strap a little more till your axe hits the floor

Flick off your fans, make them cheer

Try to look sincere

Anger is today's fashion so sing another song

About bashing someone's head in chorus

How many people wanna kick some ass?

I do, I do!

How many people set the hole in the pack

I am, well I am too.

So don't ever lay another finger on her

She's mine and I still want her

If you put your hands upon her you're a goner, goner

How many people set the hole in the pack

I am, I am!

And how many people wanna kick some ass

Well I would if I could!

But I'm really just a sensitive artist

Perpetrated like I am the hardest

Acting like I'm not the smartest

I'm really just a sensitive artist

So don't ever lay another finger on her

She's mine and I still want her

If you put your hands upon her you're a goner, goner

How many people set the hole in the pack

I am, I am!

And how many people wanna kick some ass

Well I would if I could!

Freedan sat down on the bed next to her. He sighed and leaned forward,
putting his head in his hands.

"You must want him, don't you?"
"What? No, I said you! I chose you!"
He looked up with a grin. "You don't find him attractive? Not the
least?"

"Well, he's absolutely handsome and his touch..." She blushed when she
saw him staring and she shook her head firmly. "No. I love you."

"I love you too... but... I'm not much of a uh... lover. You may be
better off with him."
"Oh, the offer's there, but I won't take him up on it unless I had
your permission. Besides, I'm not great either. We'll get by."

He continued to stare. "He offered you his sex whenever you wanted
it?"
"Well, companionship, yes. Sex was just implied."

Freedan laughed and she blushed. "Go ahead."

"What?"
"I'd shag Ice."

It was her turn to stare at him now. "Jesus Christ, I can never tell
when you're joking or not."

"Mind if I spend the night? I couldn't sleep."
She smiled and shrugged a little. "Ok. I need to take a shower
though..."
"Go ahead."

"Thanks." She ran for the bathroom and locked the door, her heart
beating.

-Ice? You awake?-

-No!- Came a groggy line. -Wha- Is this Nerouki?-

-Yeah. Freedan just said the weirdest thing to me.-

-Now what?- She could almost see him rolling his eyes.

-He said it was ok for me to take you as my lover.-

-Really? Are you ok with that? I'm ok with that.-

-I don't know. I'd like to be with Freedan first...-

-I understand. That's cool. But my offer is always open to a beautiful
lady.-

-Slut.-

-Bitch.-

-Truce?-
-Deal.-

-Night, Takashi.-

-Night, Diarnia.-

She took a scalding hot shower and when she came out, Freedan was
tucked in her bed, curled up and asleep. She quietly peeled back the
covers and felt a blush creep up her cheeks. This was the first time
she had actually seen the High Lord naked and healthy (at the same
time) and she was amazed at how incredibly masculine his body was. She
tried to tear her eyes away but found that she couldn't. Freedan
mumbled something in his sleep and flung himself over, sprawling out
on his stomach. His arms and legs extended to the farthest corners of
her bed and she snapped out of her daze as she shoved him with
annoyance.

He grunted and his head snapped up, his left hand rearing back to
punch her while the right one grabbed her throat. She screamed and he
blinked, looking at her as if she had three heads. He blushed and gave
her a boyish grin. Then his eyes traveled down the length of her body.
She was wearing a baggy t-shirt and an old pair of silk boxers. She
pushed him over and climbed in under the covers and closed her eyes,
her mind wander-ing. Strong arms wrapped around her and she felt his
chest press up against her back. He fell asleep, his head bent
forward, breath warmly brushing her shoulder and neck.

~>|<~

Rhiannon awoke to hear a knock at her door. She frowned and grabbed
one of Gypsy's daggers. Then she stopped to pull on some pants. She
opened the door and felt as if her world was spiraling around her.

There he stood with his shoulder length, silky blond hair, his
sparkling blue eyes and perfect mouth. He was leaning against the door
frame, hands in his pockets and head casually tilted to the side. He
was dressed in loose trousers and a button down shirt, open at the
throat.

"Evening Rhiannon, sorry to wake you." He said, his voice quiet in the
night.

"What's wrong, Joseph?" She asked, putting her dagger down.

He grinned sheepishly. "I couldn't sleep at all. Was wondering if
you'd like to go for a walk. Freedan's sleeping so Foresta is guarded,
but I figured we could sneak in and explore. There's a Moon there. And
stars, should be beautiful."

"I'd love to. Lemme just put some decent clothes on first."
He smiled again, those eyes twinkling. "Take your time." He turned his
back and she scurried around to pull on her leather boots over her
pants. Then she slid a bra on under her shirt and grabbed a warm
velvet cloak with a hood.

"I'm ready." She tossed her long black hair up, holding it in place
with a claw. He grinned and offered her his arm. She took it and they
made their way down the twisting halls of Geria. They entered the dark
night and the smell of death and blood washed over their senses.
Rhiannon choked back a cough and Joseph hurried them through the
destruction to the gardens. Black and red roses formed a perimeter
around the garden and inside there were tulips, crystal galias and a
small section where Freedan and Phoebe had their herbal gardens for
spells and whatnot.

"Look! Crystal galias!" Rhiannon cried, pointing. Joseph strode
through, disen-gaging his arm from her. He walked over and knelt by
the transparent flowers before plucking the one in the height of its
blood. He tucked it behind Rhiannon's ear and she found her eyes glued
to his. He was looking at her oddly, and she couldn't understand what
was going on inside his British head.

What is he thinking?

His hand touched her a second longer than necessary before he grinned
and unsheathed his sword. They ran around the side of the building
and, using the spell that Nerouki's wizard friend had taught her. She
called her sword to her and began to run alongside Joseph. They came
to an ominous set of trees, dead with arm-like branches with claw-like
hands. Joseph took a tentative step forward and the largest tree
reached for him. He cut off its arm and acidic blood began to pour
out. Creating a distraction, Joseph allowed Rhiannon enough time to
get in before he followed suit.

"This place is beautiful!" She breathed as she took in the sights.

The Moon shone down on the lush grass, and it sparkled with dew. The
trees inside the ring of death were beautiful and full of blooming
flowers. A row of crystal galias lined a path which they walked, hand
in hand. They didn't speak, they just admired the beauty around them.
They were brought to an abrupt halt when the ground at their feet
began to move and shift. Hands broke free from the dirt and a body
lifted itself from a grave. It was completely emaciated, with a gaping
chest. The gaping hole was lined with teeth and the man's skin was
bluish-grey. He had long black hair and glittering red eyes. He held
up a black sword, a green guitar slung over his shoulder and back.

"Who goes there?" He asked. It was the High Lord's voice.

"Freedan?" Rhiannon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Rhiannon?" The ghoul frowned. "The hell are you doing in here?"
"We came for a walk, obviously." Joseph snorted.

"This is private. You haven't the permission to get in here! You could
have been killed!" The ghoul sheathed his sword and placed his hands
on his hips. His fingernails were as long and sharp as talons and his
sunken eyes glared at them with annoyance.

"We just wanted to take a stroll. We couldn't sleep." Joseph
explained, a little put off by the ghoul.

"Well I can't sleep either when people are roaming around my--"
"Freedan, can we or can't we stay?"

"Freedan? I'm not Freedan." The ghoul looked perplexed.

"You sound like Freedan."
"Vryce sounds like Freedan and Eve sounds like Freedan, so does
Alucard, Richter, Viscer and Denise. But we're not Freedan."
"Who are you talking about?"

"There are seven pieces to Freedan's chalice that have been missing
since he was a child. They broke off when Kiri was busy breaking him.
Those pieces manifested into the seven elements that Freedan is
comprised of. Now we're his personal bodyguards. We usually flit
around as shadows, or in the shadows. We're never seen unless we wish
to be seen. Now tell me how you know Freedan."
"He rescued me and helped me find Mr. Joseph Elliott here in order to
fulfill some prophecies."
"The book of prophecies has come to an end. All the prophecies have
been fulfilled in the correct pattern and there shall be peace until
the next Oracle had matured and found the power to write the next
Book."

"What are the seven elements?" Joseph asked suddenly.

The ghoul grinned. "I'm so happy you should ask. I am Lord Raptor, the
commander of the bodyguards, who takes orders only from the High Lord.
Why don't I introduce you to the other guards? Follow me."

They followed the galias path until they came to a clearing with a
silent waterfall that crashed down from a three hundred foot cliff.
The top of the cliff was surrounded by a blood red mist, and the top
of it couldn't be seen. They were presented with chairs made of sticks
and vines with leaves to cushion them. Rhiannon and Joseph exchanged a
look for a shrug before sitting down and watching seven chairs
materialize.

A woman with golden blond hair appeared in the second. She had
glittering black eyes like the High Lord and blood red lips. Long
fangs that hung down past her chin were the only things to mar her
beauty. She grinned and her teeth were all fangs, though smaller and
more dainty than the largest ones.

Next appeared a man who was nothing more than mist, undulating. His
face looked vaguely like the High Lord's but he seemed more bulky and
muscular than Freedan. When he grinned another face appeared from his
mouth to engulf his body and he solidified. He looked exactly like
Freedan, except his skin was as brown as dirt and his eyes were pale
blue with no iris or pupil. Just endless pits.

Lord Raptor sat down in the first seat. "Here we have Eve and Viscer.
Eve is the dark beauty that Freedan possesses and she's ruthless and
uncaring. This is where Freedan gets his battle spirit. Viscer is the
element of Earth, which helps Freedan manipulate the earth when he
wishes. He can create yawning chasms or mountains. It's how he made
the Valley of Death, a place to banish people. He's also responsible
for the caves and tunnels of Mercadia, although they fell from his
power a long time ago and he has forgotten about them, practically.
Say hi to them, you two."
"Hello." The woman had a silky voice, oddly masculine to contrast her
rather feminine beauty.

Viscer had a rumbling voice, warm and embracing.

"I don't get it. Why are we being shown this?" Rhiannon asked as the
rest of the elements appeared.

"Because there is another prophecy. One that I have written." The last
figure said.

The third was also female. She was stocky and reminded Rhiannon oddly
of a the line between fantasy and reality. She had a spiraling horn
coming from her head, and legs and hooves of a horse. She also had a
flowing tail. Her upper torso was completely human, compared to her
other unicorn-like qualities.

"I am Denise, the one who blurs the line between truth lies and myths
for Freedan. Without me, he wouldn't be able to cope as well as he has
so far."

"Like that says much," Joseph muttered.

"I am Richter. The hunter in Freedan."
"I am Alucard, the reluctant evil in Freedan."

Richter and Alucard were the most normal of the bunch. Richter has
long brown hair swept back in a ponytail. He wore leather clothes and
a whip was coiled at his hip. Alucard had flowing white hair and pale,
almost inhuman eyes. He had a rather feminine beauty to him that made
Rhiannon's breath catch.

The last character wore a mask and a huge black cloak. He was the one
who had spoken of prophecies. He pushed back his hood and short, dark
green hair was smoothed back. He removed his mask and Joseph and
Rhiannon paled considerably. His dark green hair had a blood red sheen
in it and a gray streak through it. His eyes were amber with vertical
pupils. His nose was long and straight and his lips had a cruel twist
to them. He had Elv'n ears and a muscular build as the cloak turned to
mist and dissipated, but his most unnerving quality was his general
facial structure. It seemed to ripple as they looked at him. One
minute it would look coldly human and the other had the skull-like
face of Death.

"I am the element of Death, where Freedan draws his powers and natural
evil nature. I am the original of the Ban'nin de Morte."

"You!" Rhiannon stood up suddenly, her sword unsheathed. But then she
was surrounded by the other six bodyguards.

Joseph grabbed her arm. "Rhiannon, not now! Please, let's just go."

"He was the one who was captured Teddy!"
"Teddy?" Everybody stopped and stared at her.

"You want that wretched beast back?" Death smirked.

"Wretched beast? You bastard! Give me back my dog!"

"He's gone."
"Gone? Where is he?" Joseph asked, unquestioningly coming to
Rhiannon's side.

"He went through a few changes. If you want him, I suggest you go
through the caves of Mercadia and find him yourself. Here's a map.
Good luck and beware the spiders down there. They're a bit on the...
large side."
"Are you serious? You're just going to let us go get Teddy?"

"Yes. I dare you. Oh, but there are rules to this game."
"Game? Game?!" Rhiannon shrieked. "You sick fuck!"
"Freedan will understand. Only five are to go, choose them wisely, one
will die and become F'Kor. Try not it let to be somebody you're
especially attached to." Death's amber eyes fixed on Joseph who glared
at him. Oh, and the last rule, if you lose, you all die. If you win,
the dog is yours, but he's changed a bit from when you last saw him.
Willing to take the chance?"
Rhiannon squared her shoulders and mustered up all her strength. "I
do."
"Then welcome to your dance with death." In the blink of an eye, the
seven were gone and Rhiannon and Joseph were back in her room.

"Those assholes! I can't believe this! Do you think this is Freedan's
doing?"
"They seem like entirely separate entities, Rhiannon. I think we
should do it."
"You're not going!" Rhiannon gasped.

"What? Why not?" Joseph looked hurt.

"Because if you're the one to die..." She trailed off. "Just please
stay here."

"Why do you care about me so much?" Joseph asked quietly.

She looked up at him and tears filled her eyes. "Because you stick up
for me without thinking. Your undying loyalty is something I need in
my life. I couldn't live if you didn't... I would be helpless..."
He gathered her in his arms and she hugged him tight. My little
bear... I'm coming to save you!