Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Time's Wheel ❯ Ch.20: The Dawn of Battle ( Chapter 22 )

Dragon Lady

Times Wheel

Ch.20: The Dawn of Battle

Disclaimer: The usual

DL: Enjoy the chapter all, it's not too long this time (I'm trying to cut down).

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Plaster falls to the ground, forcing Duo from his place, the foundations of Danann's tower shaking precariously due to the battle taking place below. Hotaru reaches for a wall, trying to balance herself, her reflection in the mirror showing the mask on her face that hides her panic beneath a placid calmness. The only sign of her anxiety is her grip on her glaive, her knuckles turning white due to the strain. The metal is a comfort beneath her hand, its cold steel giving her a strength that her frail body does not feel.

"You need to leave now," Danann says in a smooth monotone. "The city will not hold long without your help. The tower will not fall, I will see to that, but I can no longer protect the people as I once did. Please help them."

They hurt her, and yet she would help them anyway. She reminds me of Serena, always wanting to help, even if the people she helps are rotten to the core; everyone can be saved. Danann doesn't like to see people get hurt.

Hotaru switches her grip on her glaive, pointing the weapon towards the floor and behind her somewhat in a waiting position. Carefully, so as not to be knocked over by one of the blasts coming from below, she makes her way towards the tower's guardian. "Danann, is there a shorter way out of here than the way we came in?"

Danann's face visibly brightens, her eyes becoming more luminous even though her features remain as cool as ever. "Yes Hotaru, there is a very easy way of getting down now that you have made it here. Even though I can not leave this room, I can easily create a portal to teleport you down to the battlefield."

Duo moves toward one of the mirrors, studying it with a carefully, his eyes darting from one scene to another, studying it intently. He goes quickly from mirror to mirror, muttering under his breath about the enemy position and the sheer numbers on the force that will greet them outside the tower walls, occasionally making a remark about the position of a particular building within the walls which could be of use.

He's done this before, Hotaru muses, and more than just once. He looks like enemy before we go into battle, sizing up the enemy, trying to see what we're getting ourselves into. What an odd character, there are times when I almost think there are two of him: the fun loving guy he lets everyone see, and the strange calculating warrior that only comes out when he is needed. He hasn't told me everything. Duo is not just some ordinary boy who happens to know how to use a sword, although that should have been the first hint, he's a hardened soldier.

Suddenly, the answer comes to her in a flash, the truth hitting her like a ton of bricks. The suddenly lapses into deep thought, the calculating way in which he enters a battle, his instincts when it comes to certain situations. The answer was there in front of her the entire time, she just simply had not looked, had not noticed because to a certain degree, everyone around her hid their true selves in a very similar manner. He is a warrior, or more specifically, a Gundam pilot! I was so blind and yet, suddenly everything fits together. Now the only question is: What difference did it make? Did it change anything? Did the fact that he had carefully omitted that little fact change anything between them? No, she decides. He hides for the same reason that I hide. Because telling the world would cause too many problems, too many unwanted dangers. I may not like being lied to, but I understand the value of a secret.

"Danann, there are too many," Duo says, his voice startling Hotaru out of her thoughts. "They out number us about forty to one, and although I tend to be pretty good with losing odds, this is getting a little ridiculous."

Danann nods in agreement, taking a spot beside Duo at one of the mirrors. "Yes, I understand that Duo, but don't worry, the odds will not remain like that. Besides, you don't have to worry about the actual soldiers themselves, if Eileen is willing to give me a hand, I think we can take care of them between the two of us and those already fighting. What I need you to do is take care of what is controlling the army."

Danann waves her hand over one of the mirrors, zooming in on a spot at the city's entrance near the gates. Four figures on horseback suddenly appear out of nowhere through the glass of the mirror and Hotaru can not help but take a step back once she sees what commands the hoard of demons on the ground.

The first figure is dressed head to toe in a black armor trimmed in gold, red and glowing eyes appearing through the slit in the helmet which is topped by a golden crown. It carries a weapon in each hand, a bow in the left, and a long sword in the right. Like its charge, the horse is also armored, hoof to head, in black and gold, metal nearly covering the white of its coat.

Hotaru stares at the one next to it, attempting to figure out exactly what it is, but fails. Bugs swarm around the figure, assuming that it has a figure, covering it as the armor covered the first. The insects made room for eyes, a nose, and a mouth, but beyond that, there seemed to be no skeleton holding them up. This rider carries only a single long sword, strapped to its back. Weapons are not its means for attack. The horse beneath this rider is a blood red, its head drooping as if from fatigue or illness. Hotaru stares at the horse carefully, not even sure if what she is seeing could be called a horse with the two horns on the side, the white eyes, and the claw-like hooves.

The sight of the third figure causes bile to rise in her throat, leaving her with a struggle to keep from gagging. The figure upon the third horse might as well be a skeleton, the skin stretched thinly across the bone, white hair blowing freely in the wind from where it grows on a grinning skull. In its bony right hand it carries a scale, the balance between them swaying gently, fragile fingers curving around the top. Beneath the rider is a jet-black horse, mount far stronger than rider, holding its master easily on strong shoulders. The horse seems agitated, wanting to rush forward into battle, its head shaking back in forth and ever so often daring to take a step forward, only to be held back by a gentle hand from the skeleton upon its back.

Finally, Hotaru's eyes slide to the last figure, this time calmly. She knows what the next figure is without even having to look. She knows who they all are now. The last figure she can not see for it is covered by a long black cloak, the hood hiding the face. In its left hand is a weapon very similar to her own; a long, thin scythe rests in its pale, delicate fingers. The horse beneath this rider is a pale green, but she had already known this as well, the color did not surprise her in the least.

She knows all of them now, creatures right out of myth. The Four Horsemen: War, Pestilence, Famine, and Death ride today, an army of demons at their back.

"This portal will lead you directly into the heart of the battle, into the path of the guardians of the underworld themselves. I wish all of you the best of luck," Danann says. "Please be careful, all of you. This world can not afford to lose any of you just yet."

The portal before them stands solidly, its surface barely wavering under Danann's control. Hotaru stares at herself in the reflection; what a sorry sight. The girl she is looking at now looks nothing like the Hotaru who entered Relecos a few weeks ago-- or is it months ago now, or years? She has long since tossed away her usual attire, favoring instead a pair of torn breeches and a shirt with a slit stomach where a claw had ripped through it. Her hair is a mass of tangles and has an oily sheen to it, her face and bare arms smudged with dirt and grime, reminding her that it has been ages since she has had a bath. She supposes that she smells too, but she has long ago ceased to notice or care, too busy with other things, other worries.

It is a child's body, but not a child's eyes that stare back at Hotaru in the portal's reflection. It is strange; she thought she had grown out of this form a long time ago, but then again, that form of false innocence had been with her for as long as she can remember. Saturn had never been an innocent, and neither was Hotaru Tomoe. She has seen too much blood to have the soul of a child. The memory of the last moments of the Moon Kingdom flashes through her mind, gripping her heart. The last moments of her first life are brought back, Saturn releasing her attack upon the moon, killing friend and foe alike. The remembrance of darkness surrounding her and taking her breath is all too real, the feel of her own blood surrounding her, drowning her in a sea of crimson, her hair floating upon a pillow of liquid, her eyes gazing up at the quickly fading stars.

What I would give to be normal…

Hotaru's hand tightens around her glaive, flinching at the image of herself upon the portal's surface. She swallows thickly, struggling to rid herself of a bad coppery taste in her mouth. She should not be remembering all this now.

A gentle hand comes to rest upon her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly in surprise. There is a warm, familiar presence at her back, strong and comforting, lending her enough support to compose herself. A breath of air caresses the back of her neck, her eyes fluttering closed at the intrusion. The hand on her shoulder grips her more firmly, fingers digging into the muscle there, and she leans into it thankfully.

"Are you okay?" Duo's voice comes softly, his mouth right against her left ear.

Hotaru struggles for a response, but nothing comes. There is so much she wants to say, but the words seem to have been stolen from her. She wishes nothing more than to tell him that she is okay, that she will be alright and that everything that has happened to her, from the moment she had set foot in this strange world up until now, has had no ill effects. Hotaru wants to tell him about the nightmares and the attack by the strange, dark being earlier while in the maze, she wants to tell him everything about her life, even the one that no one but her closest friends know about, but the words are stuck.

Duo's hand leaves her shoulder and Hotaru sighs, regretting the absence of its warmth, which is why she is startled when two strong arms suddenly wrap around her from behind, enclosing her in a gentle embrace. The arms around her waist pull her backwards until she is leaning against Duo's chest, his chin coming to rest atop her head. They remain like that for several moments, the entire length of her body pressed securely against his, warm and safe within the circle of his arms.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Duo whispers from above. "I promise that you will arrive safely back home, okay?"

Hotaru nods once, accepting his promise gratefully.

Duo releases her, moving aside so that he can meet her eyes, his usual, carefree smile returning. "Come on, let's go show those demons that they should have never messed with us!"

Shyly, Hotaru returns his smile, facing the portal while mentally preparing herself for the battle that is to come.

The sounds of metal on metal greet Duo on the battlefield the moment he steps through the portal. Just like old times.

Suddenly, the air beside him seems to shift and he instinctively throws his body to the side, his sword in his hand in a matter of moments, his grip on the hilt tight and ready to parry the next blow. Duo raises his head to meet the eyes of his attacker and shutters upon seeing the soulless gaze of red eyes beneath the dark helmet. His opponent raises his sword again, wheeling his heavily armored mount around for another strike.

War, huh? Figures.

Duo crouches down low, placing most of his weight onto his left leg, his right leg out to the side, ready to either spring upward or dodge the next blow; he leaped. War charges at him, a thousand pounds of metal, and horseflesh rushing toward Duo all at once, not giving him time to move left or right. Without thinking, Duo launches himself over the horseman's head, landing safely on his feet behind the horse, his sword pulled around in moments to meet with the horseman's following strike.

A flurry of blows pummels him from above, but Duo manages to block each swipe of War's sword, easily deflecting each blow. After a few moments, Duo jumps out of the way, putting some distance between them. The horseman lets him, dropping his sword at his side, the red eyes between the slits studying Duo intently.

Duo Maxwell's going to be harder to take down than you thought huh? I'll admit, I kind of surprised myself-- where is all this speed coming from? I don't think I've ever moved this fast in my life.

Duo drops his guard for a moment, mirroring War's position, taking a small time out to ponder that last thought. Were did all this speed come from, not to mention the strength and the endurance? He should have been gasping for air by now, but he was barely breathing hard and his arm is hardly feeling the force of War's onslaught.

And when I first came out of the portal, I felt War's presence moments before I saw him. What in the Hell is going on here?

-It's my abilities remember? -

-Luc? -

-Who else. Stay on your guard. -

Before Duo can get in a sarcastic comment however, War charges forward again, the clang of armor tearing Duo away from his conversation with Luc and back into the heat of battle.

War lets loose an arrow from several passes away apparently hoping to take out his opponent before they must once again cross swords. Duo can feel the winds part around the projectile and before it reaches its mark, he captures the shaft deftly in his left hand, snapping the wood in twine. War would have to do much better than that if he plans on killing him.

Duo once again meets War's sword, his arm screaming at the force of the blow, the power behind the thrust enough to send pain lancing down his weaker limb. Knowing that he can not stay locked together with his opponent, Duo uses the force of the blow to propel him backward, landing as he had before.

He can not fight War like this. A soldier on foot has no advantage over a mounted rider in normal conditions and added that added to War's godlike strength would make continuing like this impossible. He'd have to find a way to unhorse him and maybe then he would stand a chance, but considering that mount is as heavily armored as rider, this will be far easier said than done.

Deciding to take a chance, Duo waits for War's next charge, hoping that his idea will not get him killed. Once again, War charges, sword raised and ready for attack. Duo stays in his crouch, the tip of Ragnarok resting against the earth, watching as War charges toward him. Sweat rolls down Duo's forehead, but he holds his position, fearing that wiping it away would make him lose his moment for attack. His muscles in his legs twitch slightly from all his weight, but he ignores it; he must wait and hope that the speed lent to him by Luc is enough.

In moments, horse and rider are right on top of him and as he had hoped, the horse rears. Duo sees the swing coming from the corner of his eye, but he ignores it, aiming his sword as at a different target. He springs from his crouch, screaming silently at his legs to give him the speed that he needs. His muscles scream as he leaves the ground, pulling up his sword and aiming for the exposed belly beneath the horse. In one swoop, he cuts a gaping hole in the horse's flesh, sending a shower of blood into his face and over his hands and sword.

Duo tries to roll out of the way, but can only brace himself as pain roars up his right leg, the limb trailing behind in the maneuver, leaving it trapped beneath the falling horse. The horrifying crunch as his bones snap echoes across the landscape and Duo can not bite back the cry that is wrenched from his body. There is nothing he can do about the pain; he had accomplished what he had tried to do.

Ignoring the pain, he jerks his injured leg out from beneath the wounded animal, whirling around to face the attacker that is just now getting to his feet. Duo places some weight on his injured leg and chokes on another cry of pain, quickly taking the weight off again-- broken, probably in a couple of places. He refuses to look down, terrified of what he may see. Duo does not want to view the damage done to his leg quite yet. He still has War to worry about.

Once again, Duo tries to put weight on the leg, this time managing to keep it there. How in the world does Heero do this? That was one desperate move; Yuy would be proud.

Trying to block out the pain, Duo raises Ragnarok again, this time able to meet War eye to eye. With more strength than he believes he has left, he blocks another blow from the Horseman of War, immediately pushing away again. He will lose if it comes down to a locked form of combat.

Duo lunges forward, catching War's sword and jumping back again, placing the horseman on the defensive, repeating the motion over and over again, looking for an opening while at the same time dodging the counterattack being thrown at him. His jumps are carefully calculated, aiming for the openings in the armor near the shoulders, knees, and ankles, finding out after one failed attempt that not even Ragnarok can pierce its armor, Duo nearly loosing his head for the error.

Duo keeps his attack constant, never pausing to rest of catch his breath, hoping that at some point, War will mess up and give him the desired opening. Finally, after what seems to Duo to be an eternity, his sword slides past his opponents, sending his lithe body sideways to avoid War's blow while Ragnarok plunges into the unguarded hole in the shoulder.

War pauses for a moment, perhaps surprised that Duo has gotten passed his defenses and Duo allows himself a smile. I've got you now, it's over!

Duo begins to move away, but is suddenly surprised when the figure beneath him jerks violently. What?

Suddenly, blinding pain spreads across his stomach has War thrusts him away, his sword catching Duo's unarmored body as he is shoved aside. Duo doubles over in pain, his hand immediately flying to his stomach in a vain effort to staunch the blood. Duo's vision suddenly begins to waiver as a coppery taste fills his mouth, choking him and taking away his supply of air. He watches in horror as War rises from the ground, pulling Ragnarok from his shoulder and throwing the sword to the ground.

Duo watches War comes toward him, the light from the setting sun glinting of the smooth surface of War's blade, poised for the kill.

Hotaru steps through the portal cautiously, knowing that one of the horsemen is waiting for her, her glaive held tightly in her hand. A moment later, light streaks through the air, causing Hotaru to look back toward the top of the tower. As the light covers the ground, it streaks through the demon army, turning every demon there to dust, the cries of the defeated foe ringing through the town of Cecil.

Well, it looks like Danann and Eileen succeeded. Now all we have to worry about is the force that was controlling this hoard.

Hotaru shudders as she feels a sudden gust of cold wind grace her cheek, sending her hair flying. The breeze is icy and as cold as winter's heart, harsher than death's caress. Hotaru turns around cautiously, her eyes darting amongst the shadows, her body automatically shifting into a defensive stance. Finally, her gaze comes to rest on a shadow cast by an old wheelwright shop. A familiar figure materializes from the shadows, the darkness becoming a cloak that falls over the figure, hiding all features. The figure makes no sound as it moves, nor does the mount it sits upon, the hooves not even leaving a footprint. It is not the shadows that shroud the figure that make it easily recognizable however, but the weapon that it caries. The moment Hotaru catches sight of the long scythe in the figure's hand, there can be no denying that it is Death that has come for her.

Hotaru shifts her concentration fully to the horseman before her, expecting an attack, and surprised when she doesn't receive one. Instead of raising its scythe, Death stops just paces before her. Hotaru's body screams at her to move, telling her that now would be the time to attack, to take down that which threatens her friends and herself, but instead, she stands frozen in place, her gaze focused upon the unseen face that lies behind the hood.

Death stands there for a moment longer, as if expecting something to happen and when nothing does, it begins to close the gap between them and still Hotaru can not move, all logic gone from her mind.

"Why can I not take you?" Hotaru flinches at the sound of the voice, surprised the creature can even speak. It is not a horrible voice that greets her ears, but a soft one, one that does not sound male or female, nor human or beast.

Suddenly, pain arches through her body, blood soiling the cloth above her chest. A hand, solid yet cold grabs her neck, forcing her to look up into the emptiness inside the cloak, lifting her feet from the ground. Everything around her begins to dim, the edges of her vision becoming dark. Hotaru tries to force her limbs to move, tries to lift her glaive and strike back but finds that she can not find the strength to do so. After a few moments, even the pain begins to vanish and she can no longer feel the icy fingers gripping her neck.

She had never even seen Death coming.

The world is fading before my eyes, sending me to eternal sleep,

Laying me to rest forever more in the lands where angels weep.

But fear the darkness, I will not, for I shall rise again,

Into a land of hope where all the light yet reign.

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