Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Illusions ❯ The Reckoning, Part II ( Chapter 10 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lady Dragonphire 
Dee and Rose engage in combat, while Ryo is forced to make a difficult decision.
Anime/Manga: Fake Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.09.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 459 | Status: Work In Progress
Dee and Rose engage in combat, while Ryo is forced to make a difficult decision.
Anime/Manga: Fake Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 03.09.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 459 | Status: Work In Progress
Shattered Illusions
by Lady Dragonphire
Summary: When Ryo, a vengeful assassin, is sent to kill Dee, the sovereign of a kingdom, can they discover love amongst the driving forces that rule their hearts?
Disclaimer: FAKE and its characters are the property of Sanami Matoh.
A/N: Thank you to all who have continued to await this story`s progress and to all who have supported and encouraged my writing. Special thanks to Totally4Ryo for betaing this chapter, and to Nightstalker1 and BlueClarity88 for their unending support. The final chapter is approaching. Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 10. The Reckoning, Part II
The raven-haired warrior firmly stood his ground as he contemplated the offer. Did Rose really think it was that easy? Dee did not trust the formidable blonde warlord, and would not forsake Ryo to an inescapable fate in remaining with Rose, even if the wager was the safety of his kingdom. With Rose, there were no guarantees to his empty promises. "I love Ryo. I don't care about his past, and unlike you I don't judge a person's worth by how well he can serve me," Dee replied evenly.
"Love is a weakness, one that will prevent you from achieving true ambition," Rose replied coldly. "Your enemies will use this knowledge against you, manipulating you to bend to their every whim. What kind of a kingdom wants a leader like that?"
"The people need someone who is just, who will put their needs above his own, and who knows the trials of hardship and sacrifice. Most of all, they need someone to rule with honor, compassion, and love. They do not need someone in power that they fear as much as they fear their enemies. You would know nothing of that," Dee countered.
"Very well. We will test your foolishly idealistic theories against mine. Prepare to forfeit your life," Rose hissed as he raised his weapon, the sharp blade glinting menacingly in the sunlight.
Dee raised his sword, his emerald eyes flashing with determination as he stood his ground, feet planted firmly in battle stance, his muscles flexing and tensing in anticipation beneath his protective armor. A surge of adrenaline rushed through Dee's body as Rose attacked, and he met the strike with a powerful one of his own, the clash echoing throughout the campground as their swords continued to come together in an intricate dance of skill and strategy.
Both warriors fought relentlessly, one gaining the advantage only to have his position thwarted as the other employed an unforeseen tactic. Ryo's dark eyes never left Dee, following the warrior's movements with nervous anticipation and willing him to come out victorious, as if he could merge his strength with the raven-haired man and enhance his previously unmatched skills with a blade.
Dee and Rose broke away from each other, flashing sapphire meeting determined emerald. Their gazes never wavered lest they let down their defenses in an errant moment of weakness.
"Give up and walk away now," Dee said through gritted teeth, breathing heavily.
"After you, great king," Rose said with a sneer, wiping sweat off his brow as he once again raised his sword and attacked.
The raven-haired warrior anticipated the feign that Rose utilized, and easily maneuvered his lithe body out of harm's way, striking in a swift counterattack that fell across Rose's back and sent him sprawling to the ground, the breath knocked out of the blonde. Dee stood over the warlord, holding the blade of his sword against the flesh of Rose's neck. Both warriors were breathing heavily, their chests rising and falling from the exertion that their bodies had endured.
"Don't move," The raven-haired warrior commanded, his eyes never leaving the blonde's.
Rose arched an eyebrow in challenge as he rolled his body away from underneath Dee and stood defiantly.
With one swift motion Dee kicked him, causing Rose's knees to buckle so that he was forced to drop to the ground in supplication before the king. Green fire blazed in Dee's eyes as his sword cut silently through the air to emblazon a deep scar on Rose's face that extended from his cheek to his chin.
"Ahhhhh!" Rose cried out as he clutched his bleeding face, half in pain and half in disbelief that Dee would dare to do such a thing. But there was no mercy present in the warrior's eyes as Rose looked up from between his fingers to meet Dee's determined emerald gaze.
"Now you will be forced to endure the shame and humiliation that you have imparted upon Ryo, but unlike him, you will not be able to conceal it from those who are your enemies," Dee stated calmly as he stood over Rose, casting a shadow across the warlord's kneeling form.
Ryo gasped softly, his heart skipping a beat and his thoughts swirling as he sank to his knees. His face burned heatedly in shame as he lowered his dark eyes, frozen in shock. Dee knew. He must know. But when had the raven-haired warrior found out? Ryo had tried so hard to retain this last shred of dignity, but now his hopes were shattered beyond repair. How could Dee still say that he loved him knowing what he did? How could he offer Ryo his heart unconditionally when the honey blond was not free to show his love in return without generating conflicting feelings of guilt and shame?
But, wait. Dee must have known about the brand even before he had so ardently expressed his feelings for Ryo. Dee's words had signified the first time that anyone had genuinely shown Ryo unconditional love and acceptance while asking for nothing in return. Even tainted and defiled as Ryo thought he was, Dee still wanted him - Dee still loved him. With this newfound realization, Ryo slowly lifted his expressive dark eyes to witness the sight of Dee and Rose locked in the aftermath of their combat.
"So you're not going to kill me, then? You are a coward and a fool," Rose remarked contemptuously as he met Dee's emerald eyes with a cool, unwavering stare.
"Think what you want. Ryo once said that I don't have the eyes of a cold-blooded killer. I'm not going to disappoint him by becoming one," Dee replied calmly, his sword pressed against Rose's throat. "You are hereby exiled from my kingdom and its surrounding territories. Take your men and leave peacefully," Dee commanded. "Otherwise, I will summon my army to fight, and will not be responsible for any atrocities that may occur in the heat of battle. I will return to my camp now. You have until nightfall to leave this place, or you will not live to regret it. I am leaving soldiers behind to enforce my orders," Dee told Rose evenly. He turned towards the shy honey blond and added in a softer tone, "Ryo, come with me."
Rose's face contorted in fury as Dee turned and walked away, his dark cloak swirling around his lithe form. The defeated warlord growled low in his throat, his piercing eyes seeming to burn through the very flesh of Dee's back as he uttered the words, "Ryo is mine. If I can't have him, nobody can." Rose staggered to his feet, an aura of formidable determination surrounding him as he raised his sword menacingly.
Ryo's dark eyes widened as he realized Rose's intent. There was no doubt in the shy assassin's mind as Rose inched closer to the tall raven-haired figure. Rose was going to take the one person who meant the world to Ryo away from him.
The honey blond surreptitiously reached his hand out, picking up his neglected bow and swiftly fitting an arrow to it. Gathering his courage, he stood poised and ready, calling out in an unsteady voice, "Stop! Step away, Rose. You have been defeated."
Rose raised one eyebrow in amusement, a small smile curving upwards at the corners of his lips. "Or what?" he asked contemptuously.
Ryo's obsidian eyes narrowed dangerously, a heated fire igniting within their dark depths. "Acknowledge Dee's mercy and leave peacefully," Ryo commanded.
Rose contemplated Ryo's reply for a split second before tightening his grasp on his sword. "You don't have it in you," he sneered.
"I'm warning you," Ryo shouted, pulling back the arrow and taking careful aim. When Rose did not comply, Ryo released the arrow with deadly accuracy. Rose glanced down at the quivering arrow that had landed mere centimeters from his foot.
"Next time I won't miss," Ryo said firmly, his dark eyes flashing, no longer afraid to stand up to his former superior. He had to watch out for Dee. His life would never be the same without him, and Ryo did not want to lose him after all they had been through together. He did not want to lose the one he loved.
Dee walked over to Ryo and put his hand on Ryo's arm. Their eyes met. He could see the warring conflict in the obsidian depths. "Ryo, let it go."
The honey blond's hand remained steady, although a flicker of uncertainty surfaced across his countenance before he resumed his gaze upon the warlord. "He killed my parents, Dee, and he was going to kill you. I can never forget that." Ryo's voice was flat, and contained a hard edge to it.
"No, and you never will, but this is not the way." Dee lowered his voice and leaned in closer to Ryo. "Don't throw away everything you stand for. I've learned so much from you, Ryo. I've come to respect you in the short time that we've known each other. More than that, I've come to love you. Don't let him make you become something you're not. I couldn`t let myself live with that. I don`t want to lose you."
After a moment, Ryo lowered his weapon silently in defeat, reluctantly meeting Dee's gaze. It would take time to heal, he knew that. It would be a long and difficult journey, having to come to terms with what he had learned today. But he would not be alone. Dee would be by his side through it all.
The king glanced back at the defeated warlord, who remained holding his sword. "Heed my words well, Rose. You have until nightfall," Dee reiterated. The look in his eyes left no room for argument.
His emerald gaze softened as he looked down at Ryo and put an arm around the assassin's waist, helping the wounded man to walk toward the entrance to the campsite. "We've had a long day, Ryo. Let's go back to reconvene with my army. The threat is gone. Rose has been defeated once and for all."
The honey blond leaned in closer against Dee and smiled shyly, the strain in his body and the worry in his eyes dissipating with each step that they took toward the protection that Dee's palace offered, the comfort that he found in Dee's arms. Today, Dee had once again proven his unconditional love for him. Tonight, Ryo would finally gather the courage to say the words that his heart had known for some time. Nothing would stop him from letting Dee know that he loved him. Nothing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~TBC~
by Lady Dragonphire
Summary: When Ryo, a vengeful assassin, is sent to kill Dee, the sovereign of a kingdom, can they discover love amongst the driving forces that rule their hearts?
Disclaimer: FAKE and its characters are the property of Sanami Matoh.
A/N: Thank you to all who have continued to await this story`s progress and to all who have supported and encouraged my writing. Special thanks to Totally4Ryo for betaing this chapter, and to Nightstalker1 and BlueClarity88 for their unending support. The final chapter is approaching. Enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 10. The Reckoning, Part II
The raven-haired warrior firmly stood his ground as he contemplated the offer. Did Rose really think it was that easy? Dee did not trust the formidable blonde warlord, and would not forsake Ryo to an inescapable fate in remaining with Rose, even if the wager was the safety of his kingdom. With Rose, there were no guarantees to his empty promises. "I love Ryo. I don't care about his past, and unlike you I don't judge a person's worth by how well he can serve me," Dee replied evenly.
"Love is a weakness, one that will prevent you from achieving true ambition," Rose replied coldly. "Your enemies will use this knowledge against you, manipulating you to bend to their every whim. What kind of a kingdom wants a leader like that?"
"The people need someone who is just, who will put their needs above his own, and who knows the trials of hardship and sacrifice. Most of all, they need someone to rule with honor, compassion, and love. They do not need someone in power that they fear as much as they fear their enemies. You would know nothing of that," Dee countered.
"Very well. We will test your foolishly idealistic theories against mine. Prepare to forfeit your life," Rose hissed as he raised his weapon, the sharp blade glinting menacingly in the sunlight.
Dee raised his sword, his emerald eyes flashing with determination as he stood his ground, feet planted firmly in battle stance, his muscles flexing and tensing in anticipation beneath his protective armor. A surge of adrenaline rushed through Dee's body as Rose attacked, and he met the strike with a powerful one of his own, the clash echoing throughout the campground as their swords continued to come together in an intricate dance of skill and strategy.
Both warriors fought relentlessly, one gaining the advantage only to have his position thwarted as the other employed an unforeseen tactic. Ryo's dark eyes never left Dee, following the warrior's movements with nervous anticipation and willing him to come out victorious, as if he could merge his strength with the raven-haired man and enhance his previously unmatched skills with a blade.
Dee and Rose broke away from each other, flashing sapphire meeting determined emerald. Their gazes never wavered lest they let down their defenses in an errant moment of weakness.
"Give up and walk away now," Dee said through gritted teeth, breathing heavily.
"After you, great king," Rose said with a sneer, wiping sweat off his brow as he once again raised his sword and attacked.
The raven-haired warrior anticipated the feign that Rose utilized, and easily maneuvered his lithe body out of harm's way, striking in a swift counterattack that fell across Rose's back and sent him sprawling to the ground, the breath knocked out of the blonde. Dee stood over the warlord, holding the blade of his sword against the flesh of Rose's neck. Both warriors were breathing heavily, their chests rising and falling from the exertion that their bodies had endured.
"Don't move," The raven-haired warrior commanded, his eyes never leaving the blonde's.
Rose arched an eyebrow in challenge as he rolled his body away from underneath Dee and stood defiantly.
With one swift motion Dee kicked him, causing Rose's knees to buckle so that he was forced to drop to the ground in supplication before the king. Green fire blazed in Dee's eyes as his sword cut silently through the air to emblazon a deep scar on Rose's face that extended from his cheek to his chin.
"Ahhhhh!" Rose cried out as he clutched his bleeding face, half in pain and half in disbelief that Dee would dare to do such a thing. But there was no mercy present in the warrior's eyes as Rose looked up from between his fingers to meet Dee's determined emerald gaze.
"Now you will be forced to endure the shame and humiliation that you have imparted upon Ryo, but unlike him, you will not be able to conceal it from those who are your enemies," Dee stated calmly as he stood over Rose, casting a shadow across the warlord's kneeling form.
Ryo gasped softly, his heart skipping a beat and his thoughts swirling as he sank to his knees. His face burned heatedly in shame as he lowered his dark eyes, frozen in shock. Dee knew. He must know. But when had the raven-haired warrior found out? Ryo had tried so hard to retain this last shred of dignity, but now his hopes were shattered beyond repair. How could Dee still say that he loved him knowing what he did? How could he offer Ryo his heart unconditionally when the honey blond was not free to show his love in return without generating conflicting feelings of guilt and shame?
But, wait. Dee must have known about the brand even before he had so ardently expressed his feelings for Ryo. Dee's words had signified the first time that anyone had genuinely shown Ryo unconditional love and acceptance while asking for nothing in return. Even tainted and defiled as Ryo thought he was, Dee still wanted him - Dee still loved him. With this newfound realization, Ryo slowly lifted his expressive dark eyes to witness the sight of Dee and Rose locked in the aftermath of their combat.
"So you're not going to kill me, then? You are a coward and a fool," Rose remarked contemptuously as he met Dee's emerald eyes with a cool, unwavering stare.
"Think what you want. Ryo once said that I don't have the eyes of a cold-blooded killer. I'm not going to disappoint him by becoming one," Dee replied calmly, his sword pressed against Rose's throat. "You are hereby exiled from my kingdom and its surrounding territories. Take your men and leave peacefully," Dee commanded. "Otherwise, I will summon my army to fight, and will not be responsible for any atrocities that may occur in the heat of battle. I will return to my camp now. You have until nightfall to leave this place, or you will not live to regret it. I am leaving soldiers behind to enforce my orders," Dee told Rose evenly. He turned towards the shy honey blond and added in a softer tone, "Ryo, come with me."
Rose's face contorted in fury as Dee turned and walked away, his dark cloak swirling around his lithe form. The defeated warlord growled low in his throat, his piercing eyes seeming to burn through the very flesh of Dee's back as he uttered the words, "Ryo is mine. If I can't have him, nobody can." Rose staggered to his feet, an aura of formidable determination surrounding him as he raised his sword menacingly.
Ryo's dark eyes widened as he realized Rose's intent. There was no doubt in the shy assassin's mind as Rose inched closer to the tall raven-haired figure. Rose was going to take the one person who meant the world to Ryo away from him.
The honey blond surreptitiously reached his hand out, picking up his neglected bow and swiftly fitting an arrow to it. Gathering his courage, he stood poised and ready, calling out in an unsteady voice, "Stop! Step away, Rose. You have been defeated."
Rose raised one eyebrow in amusement, a small smile curving upwards at the corners of his lips. "Or what?" he asked contemptuously.
Ryo's obsidian eyes narrowed dangerously, a heated fire igniting within their dark depths. "Acknowledge Dee's mercy and leave peacefully," Ryo commanded.
Rose contemplated Ryo's reply for a split second before tightening his grasp on his sword. "You don't have it in you," he sneered.
"I'm warning you," Ryo shouted, pulling back the arrow and taking careful aim. When Rose did not comply, Ryo released the arrow with deadly accuracy. Rose glanced down at the quivering arrow that had landed mere centimeters from his foot.
"Next time I won't miss," Ryo said firmly, his dark eyes flashing, no longer afraid to stand up to his former superior. He had to watch out for Dee. His life would never be the same without him, and Ryo did not want to lose him after all they had been through together. He did not want to lose the one he loved.
Dee walked over to Ryo and put his hand on Ryo's arm. Their eyes met. He could see the warring conflict in the obsidian depths. "Ryo, let it go."
The honey blond's hand remained steady, although a flicker of uncertainty surfaced across his countenance before he resumed his gaze upon the warlord. "He killed my parents, Dee, and he was going to kill you. I can never forget that." Ryo's voice was flat, and contained a hard edge to it.
"No, and you never will, but this is not the way." Dee lowered his voice and leaned in closer to Ryo. "Don't throw away everything you stand for. I've learned so much from you, Ryo. I've come to respect you in the short time that we've known each other. More than that, I've come to love you. Don't let him make you become something you're not. I couldn`t let myself live with that. I don`t want to lose you."
After a moment, Ryo lowered his weapon silently in defeat, reluctantly meeting Dee's gaze. It would take time to heal, he knew that. It would be a long and difficult journey, having to come to terms with what he had learned today. But he would not be alone. Dee would be by his side through it all.
The king glanced back at the defeated warlord, who remained holding his sword. "Heed my words well, Rose. You have until nightfall," Dee reiterated. The look in his eyes left no room for argument.
His emerald gaze softened as he looked down at Ryo and put an arm around the assassin's waist, helping the wounded man to walk toward the entrance to the campsite. "We've had a long day, Ryo. Let's go back to reconvene with my army. The threat is gone. Rose has been defeated once and for all."
The honey blond leaned in closer against Dee and smiled shyly, the strain in his body and the worry in his eyes dissipating with each step that they took toward the protection that Dee's palace offered, the comfort that he found in Dee's arms. Today, Dee had once again proven his unconditional love for him. Tonight, Ryo would finally gather the courage to say the words that his heart had known for some time. Nothing would stop him from letting Dee know that he loved him. Nothing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~TBC~