Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Wars ❯ Chapter 2

"Hera," came a small voice from the bundle Disorder carried. She unwrapped the bundle and withdrew a small box. Looking around her small room, she made sure she was alone and opened the lid. "Yes, my lady?" In the molten mercury that filled the box, the image of Lady Morgana became clear. "Have you reached Morran yet?" "Yes, lady, we got here in time to save a young girl, but we lost her brother," Disorder said. "Damn. You know, of all my relatives, Arcaine always was the most difficult. I fear he may be your greatest challenge yet. What about the villagers? Do you think you will find any allies among them?" Morgana asked. Disorder nodded. "I think we already have. The young man that was taken, his four friends have taken us into their home. I believe they will be strong additions to this war of ours, if they agree to fight." "Good, good. How are my girls?' "We're all fine, Lady Morgana. Ivy has found even more ingenious places to hide her blades and Gypsy has discovered an even more potent mixture of silver and Nightshade to lace her sword with. Ice was given a retractable staff by the fairies we met up with last week and Rayne has found that a short sword is a perfect mate for her axe. Our quest is going well, my lady. We will defeat your cousin, Arcaine. Make no mistake about it," said Disorder. "Well, I did raise you five myself. I guess I can expect a bit of cheekiness from you, but your confidence is well earned. You will do well, my child." "Yes, my lady." "Go, now and do what you can to bring these men around to our cause." "Yes, Lady Morgana." "Goodbye, Hera."

"Please, will you tell us what we should do, how to fight them?" asked Mrs. Carter, Kirsten, Kalin and Gunner's mother. The girls glanced at each other and Chaos nodded. "You'll need weapons. Melt down all your silver and all the pewter, too." "Why silver and pewter?" asked Angelis, leaning on the table, his food untouched. "Silver is pure and the wounds it inflicts burn like acid on raw flesh," said Chaos. "Then why the pewter?" Hunter asked. Chaos looked sideways at him. "Go on, Chaos, tell him why the pewter. Explain it all to them," said Mayhem, with a wicked grin. "Pewter is to be used by virgins, because the purity of their bodies gives the metal all the power of silver. Silver can be used by anyone, because it's power has nothing to do with the body's purity. Got it?" Angelis nodded, looking a little uncomfortable as she spoke.

"And what kind of weapon do you use, Chaos?" asked Hunter, his eyes smoldering. "Silver," she said, her voice a little husky, before she looked away. "If purity is so fatal to them, why do they like virgins?" asked Devin. "Because we- I mean, they are innocent and there's nothing the demons like better than destroying innocence," said Disturbance, catching herself in a slip, smoothly. She was busy giving Chaos a hard stare, but Chaos wasn't looking at her. Instead, her dark eyes were trained on the young man, Hunter and the look in their depths had nothing to do with weapons and everything to do with why Chaos used silver.

They were sitting around a table in the inn and it was the first time they were able to get a good look at their four young men. The one called Angelis had a face that fit his name. He was tall and slender, with black hair and dark brown eyes. Quick to smile, he seemed the most relaxed of the group. Hunter stood about 5'7", with black hair to his shoulders and aquamarine eyes that constantly changed shades. His demeanor was like that of his namesake, the hunter and he seemed to be a man who always got what he wanted. Devin was a little shorter, with blond hair and blue eyes and a baby face. He was the youngest of the four of them, though Gunner, the one that Arcaine had taken, was younger than he. The others tended to protect him, whether he needed it or not. Connor was quiet and intense, with a bold blue gaze and sandy colored hair. Standing as tall as Angelis, he often looked thoughtful, as if pondering the mysteries of the universe. As a group, they were very easy on the eyes.

"If you'll excuse us, gentlemen, I think it's time for us to retire. We have much to discuss if we're going to get your friend back," said Disturbance, standing. "You will be able to get him back then?" asked Kalin. "Yes, but it won't be easy. Arcaine knows we're here now and he's going to make it his mission to capture or kill us," said Mayhem.

The Order Of Death began to stand up, but paused when a man entered the room, darkness emanating from him like a stench. "Food, now!" he ordered, slamming a fist down on the bar. He was one of Arcaine's men and he raised his head as if he felt their stares and saw them. "Let's go," said Mayhem, rising to her feet beside Disturbance. The others stood as well and the five of them made their way toward the stairs that led to their rooms. As they passed him, the demon-man's hand shot out and grabbed Apocalypse by the wrist. "Well, well now, what have we here? I haven't seen you around before. I know I would remember a face this pretty," he said, pulling her close to him. "Let go," said Apocalypse, her silver eyes cold. "Why would I want to do that? No, I think you and I should spend some time together, girl," he sneered, sliding his hands around her waist. The others stopped as they realized what was happening. "Apoc?" said Chaos, reaching under her cloak. "No, I've got this," said Apocalypse, withdrawing her staff and extending it, right into his crotch. He howled in pain and she stepped calmly away from him. As a unit, the women turned and continued on their way. The guys watched them go. "You know," said Angelis. "I think I like them."

"Chaos, you can't." Chaos glanced at Disorder. "Why the hell not?" "Because we have to keep our mind on our mission, Chaos. We can't be distracted from our goal." Chaos narrowed her eyes and took a step toward Disorder. "I'm sick and tired of this mission crap. We're in a war, I know that, maybe better than you do. I could die tomorrow, I've come to terms with that, and I'll be damned if I'm going to miss being with a man that I want to be with. Save your morals for yourself, Hera. I'll fuck whomever I damn well please." With that, Chaos left the room. Disorder sighed and looked at the others. They were staring at her, their faces displaying their feelings on the subject. Disturbance was in complete agreement with Disorder. Mayhem looked as if she wanted to follow Chaos out of the room. Apocalypse looked from Disorder to the door and back again, a smirk on her face. "She's right, you know," said Mayhem. "No, she isn't. There's nothing right about giving up your innocence before you marry," Disorder snapped. "Why not? Innocence just makes you more attractive to the demons. Why save yourself for their torture?" asked Mayhem, her voice rising. "Leave her alone! There's nothing wrong with wanting to remain a virgin," said Disturbance. "Shut up, Mayhem. They can't help being afraid of their sexuality," said Apocalypse, wryly. "What the hell do you know about it?" Disorder demanded, her eyes like ice. "Everything," Apocalypse said, coolly. "I used to be you, Disorder. I was afraid that I would be damned to Christian hell if I gave my body to any man but my husband. Then, I took a good look around and realized we're already in hell. There's no point in denying myself one of the few pleasure's left to me on this planet." Disorder looked away and Mayhem stood up. "I'm going to bed. My own," she said, as Disturbance opened her mouth. Mayhem opened the door and glanced back. "That doesn't mean I'm going to make it all the way there, though."

Hunter sat up in the dark and listened. Someone had entered his room. His hand slid under his pillow, to the knife he kept there. "Don't bother," said a voice. "I have many more than one and mine are twice as sharp." "Chaos?" "Yes." "What are you doing here?" he asked, standing up. He could sense her in the darkness, standing nearby. "Would you like me to leave?" she asked. "No!" She laughed, quietly and stepped close to him, touching his face. He caught her hand. "Why did you come here, Chaos?" "I want to be with you," she said. "But we only just met," he said, reaching for her face. "No. I've known you for a thousand years," she whispered, tracing his features with her fingertips. Her other hand went to the clasp of the cloak and undid it. The velvet slid to the floor with a whisper. "Touch me, Hunter," she said. He reached out and slid his arms around her, finding bare skin. His hands skimmed over full breasts and sweetly rounded hips and she shuddered, leaning her head on his chest. She touched his waist and found he was nude and her fingers explored the planes of his stomach, then lower. "Chaos," he whispered. "Hmm?" "Tell me your name." She paused and her hands stilled. He felt her drawing away and pulled her body against his, his arousal pressing between her legs. She moaned, softly and parted them a little, so the tip of him rubbed against her slick folds. "Trust me, Chaos. Tell me your name. You wouldn't have come here if you didn't trust me," he whispered. "Ivy," she said, very quietly. He sighed. "Ivy. Come here." He lifted her then and carried her to his bed.

Mayhem was making her way to her room when a door on the other side of the hall opened and Angelis stepped into the doorway. She paused. "Angelis. I didn't think you were awake." "You girls took an awful long time in Disturbance's room. I was beginning to wonder if you were all going to sleep there," he said. Mayhem let out a soft, short laugh. "No, it isn't Disturbance's bed I'm interested in sharing." Angelis raised an eyebrow. "Really. Who's bed are you interested in sharing?" She met his gaze with eyes like emeralds. "Do you really have to ask?" He stepped out of the room and slid an arm around her waist. "I'm good at sharing." Disorder and Apocalypse stepped into the hallway just in time to see him pull Mayhem into his room and shut the door.

Disorder scowled and Apocalypse smiled. "It isn't right," Disorder mumbled. "Lady Morgana trained us to kill demons, Disorder, not ourselves. We can't deny our bodies' needs. It isn't natural," Apocalypse said, opening the door to her room and going inside.

"What are you doing?" asked Ivy. "Lighting a candle. I want to look at you," said Hunter, as a small flame flared to life. He looked at the bed. She was lying on her stomach, her hair flowing over her shoulders like so much silk. The look in her dark eyes was that of a satisfied cat. Her lips were swollen from his kisses and her body looked as if it had been touched by the sun, her skin golden and smooth. He sat beside her on the bed and pulled her hair to one side. She let out a little mewling sound as he traced the tattoos on her back and shoulders. They were symbols, he was sure, but he didn't recognize them. The largest one crossed her shoulders and went down her arms to her elbows, running down her spine and branching out like a cross at her shoulder blades and then again a few inches below, coming to a point at the top of her butt. The design was repeated, smaller, on either side of her hips, and then again, down the back of her legs. At each major point of the tattoo, his fingers found strange little marks in her skin, almost like holes in her body. He followed that lowest point and slid his hand over her butt and down her legs. She sighed and rolled over. His palm passed over her legs, brushed the golden curls between her thighs, flattened on her stomach and then cupped each breast in turn. The right breast displayed yet another tattoo. A dragon's mouth opened around her nipple, which was pierced with a silver ring. From the ring dangled a silver skull charm. The dragon's body, made up of more of the artful lines that covered her back, flowed down, over her ribcage, with the tip of its tail curling around her pierced navel. Up close, he saw that the silver ring there also sported a charm, a gothic looking silver cross that dangled against her skin and sparkled in the candlelight. He lifted her un-marked left breast and touched the thin scar underneath it. She froze as his finger followed that raised white line that ran from the center of her breastbone, under her breast and then stopped at under her arm. "What did this, Ivy?" he asked, softly. "A demon. He was going to cut out my heart," she told him. "Who stopped him?" "I can't tell you that, Hunter. The others have to agree. I trusted you with my name. Let that be enough," she said, sadly. "It is. It's more than enough, Ivy," he whispered, kissing her.

Angelis was lying on his back, with Mayhem above him, leaning over his body when he saw the scar. It ran under her left breast and he reached up to touch it. "Don't. Just leave it," she said. "Where did you get that?" "The demons." That was all she said. He opened his mouth to ask another question and she silenced him with a kiss. Suddenly, Angelis forgot all about talking.

Disorder and Disturbance glanced up when Chaos walked into the room, followed closely by Hunter. She gave them a cool look and turned around and kissed Hunter on the mouth. Mayhem and Angelis followed them into the room, looking disgustingly happy. Apocalypse was the last to enter the room, her steps silent and her face unreadable. Disapproval marked both Disorder and Disturbance's faces, clearly. "I'll get you some coffee," Angelis said to Mayhem. She smiled and nodded. "Do you want some, Ivy?" asked Hunter. The Order of Death stared at him, then at Chaos. "Chaos. You told him," said Disorder, her eyes wide. "Yeah. I did," Chaos said, her head high, her eyes daring Disorder to challenge her. "It makes no sense to keep our names a secret." "But Arcaine-" "If Hunter is a spy for Arcaine, I'll kill him before he can reveal me. Happy?" asked Chaos, sitting down. Hunter didn't even react to her words, just followed Angelis into the kitchen and emerged a moment later with coffee.

"I suppose we should tell you all our names, since Ivy has already begun," said Apocalypse. "Gypsy," said Mayhem, raising her coffee in a kind of salute. "I am Ice," said Apocalypse. "Hera," said Disorder, grudgingly. "My name is Rayne," said Disturbance. "Gypsy," said Angelis, reaching out and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She smiled and looked away.

"Well," Devin said, "That's a lot less confusing than the other names." Chaos, now known to all as Ivy, tilted her chair back on two legs while she sipped her hot coffee. "What now, oh virginal leader?" she asked, earning a searing look from Hera. "We need to know all we can about that castle," said the virginal leader in question. "Have any of you ever been inside?" asked Rayne. All the guys looked at Angelis, who shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "What?" asked Gypsy, following their gazes. "Angelis knows the inside of the castle quite well, actually," said Connor. "How's that?" asked Ice. "Because he's a prince," said Hunter, with a smirk.