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anjuschiffer · 4 years ago

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Even in Hell, There’s a Place Called Home

A bit out of my usual writing and different from my usual formats, but there’s always a reason behind the madness.

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This an overdue prompt I wanted to write for @chocolate1721 so after two whole months, here it is! Of course, I kinda strayed from the original concept... Hope you enjoy it!

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Concept/Context: The Batfam are demons. During a failed summoning, Damian adopts the sacrifice (Mari). He takes her home. Ensue the chaos

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Warning: graphic scenes, gore, blood, mention of animal sacrifices, human sacrifices, character death

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Tag: @theatreandcomicfreak @damianette-is-life

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AO3

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Marinette tried to keep herself calm as chants were spoken all around her, every now and then hearing the soft jingle of bells that haunted her every thought.

She stared at the pitch black ceiling as her back was pressed against the cold stone table, the blinds at her wrists and ankles cutting into her flesh.

She had tried to fight back, but the cold shackles’ clinking laughed at her efforts, causing her to stop struggling.

So dressed with nothing but scraps of fabric to cover her chest and lower region, Marinette could only wait until she was sacrificed to whatever it was her mother and her cult were attempting to summon this time.

They had found a new summoning book in the depths of the abandoned church, the Cult believing that they would give it a try. So after carefully planning the ritual for months and gathering the herbs and animals they could steal, and kidnap a child to sacrifice, the ritual went underway.

It was just her luck that she was the child they chose for this occasion.

It was the greatest honor to be chosen, her mother had told her…

Should she even call Sabine her mother?

What kind of mother offers their own child to be a candidate to be sacrificed?

What kind of mother encourages their child to even think about wanting to sacrifice themselves for a ritual they don’t even care about?!

Marinette let out a shuddering breath as she tried to recollect her thoughts, to compose herself as she tried to accept her unwanted fate.

However, the fact that they were in the middle of the animal blood ritual wasn’t helping.

Marinette watched as bowls of blood were set beside her, bloody organs adorning the outer edges of the table she was strapped to. The stench of iron hit her nose, wrinkling in disgust.

Marinette didn’t know what organ belonged to what animal, but she honestly couldn’t care. Those poor animals didn’t deserve to be killed for such foolish reasons!

More chanting filled her ears as her mo-Sabine stood beside Marinette and drew a symbol onto her forehead, forearms and stomach.

She felt the swirls that trailed down her arms and body, knowing some dots were added along the way.

Marinette felt as the temperature in the room began to increase, feeling beads of sweat trickled down her head.

She felt as her entire being went cold as she felt something drag across her abdomen, screaming as they dug deeper into her skin. The grinding of the shackles rang in her head as she tugged and pulled, writhing in pain.

Marinette could hear her screams echo within the abandoned church’s walls, a red light coming into view, an odd comfort coming from it.

She listened as her breaths started to grow longer and less short, containing more air as she bared the pain aching from her stomach.

The chants were soon spoken more quickly and with vigor, Marinette only then noticing a dagger that was dangerously close to her chest, feeling her urge to fight to rise once more.

That’s when he came into view.

Something rose to her vision, something that appeared to be human, yet it also wasn’t one. It looked at her with sad emerald eyes as everyone in the cult stopped what they were doing as the being approached her mother.

While he approached her, Marinette also heard another voice. It softly whispered to her, it’s smooth and hypnotic melody calmed her, feeling her eyelids gradually becoming heavier with each passing second.

She soon found herself drifting off, the screams and shrieks of the cult lulling her to sleep.

———

Damian didn’t want to go.

“You have to go.” Bruce said, flipping a page from the book he was reading, ignoring the yells coming from the other room of the manor.

“Why should I grace them with my presence?” Damian asked, motioning to the portal he had created. “They’re literally using animal sacrifices to summon me Father. Animal. Sacrifices.”

Bruce huffed, fully knowing what was stopping Damian from going to where he was being summoned.

Despite being a demon, he was against animal cruelty, so much that he collected all the spellbooks he could get his hands on and changed the items needed to summon him.

Damian had changed his animal sacrifices to using herbs and other organic lifes to summon him, placing these new changes back to where he found them, only for those stupid mortals to ignore them and make their own versions of his summoning spell or the old one they learned from their mentors.

Ignoring the set of instructions was the greatest taboo among cultists, something even demons learned about. All those years of cultist training wasted. Changing the script meant an incomplete summoning, a defective portal for any demon to use. If a demon tried to traverse through them, they could remain stuck in the warp and stop existing. However, if they did manage to get by, the summoning would be void since the cultists were not using the revamped version to summon the demon. In other words, the cultists were at the mercy of the demon they had chosen to summon.

“You know how mortals are, believing that they’re the best at something despite knowing little to nothing about said thing.” Bruce reminded, turning another page, hearing Damian huff in annoyance. “Why not make an example of them?”

With that simple phrase, Damian appeared before the mortals that dared to think they knew what it took to summon a demon like himself. Earraping chants filled his head, Damian wishing they would stop their ununified screeching.

Traversing through his own portal, Damian appeared before the stupid mortals, feeling his blood boil upon seeing the animal corpses scattered around the room, heads with eyes wide open, stomachs ripped open as organs spilled from them. Carcasses of goats and cows pried open and hung as their blood dripped to the containers below them, the blood dripping out of it and pooling onto the floor.

Damian let out a low growl, scanning the room as the chant came to a trailing halt. His eyes finally laid on the old altar, decorated in animal organs, the blood being absorbed by the stone table and dripping onto the floor, a red river flowing down the crossing. But that wasn’t what grabbed his attention.

It was the girl that laid at the table, her hands and ankles bound to the disgusting moldy furniture, looking at him with hazy eyes.

How old was she? Why was she so thin and frail? Why isn’t she-

Damian’s breath came to an abrupt halt.

There, stretched across her abdomen was a vile gash, running diagonally across her body. Blood oozed from her deep gash, the skin around it jagged and already festering, meaning that if he didn’t start healing her now, her infection would grow even worse.

She could die a pointless life.

“Oh Great Spawn of-”

“Silence.” Damian cuts off, wanting to let out a grin when the short stature woman promptly shut up, her hands trembling as he made his way towards her. “Let me tell you something.”

Damian loomed over the woman, a grin unraveling itself as her eyes widened in terror as flames erupted all around the old building and on the people present, screams singing through the smoky air.

“Did you really think a demon would let themselves be controlled by a mortal? Nonetheless by one who disregarded the new changes? How naive.” With a snap of his fingers, the woman went ablaze, Damian ignoring her cries. He walked up to the girl, freed her and scooped her up into his arms. With a swish of his tail, he reopened his portal.

Just as he stepped into the portal, a hand tried to grab him. He quickly turned around and kicked the small woman away, barely hearing her final words as he watched her breathe her last breath.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… Marinette.”

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Bruce didn’t know what to say.

“I’m keeping her.” Damian said sternly, leaving no room for debate. “She’s under my care, whether you like it or not.”

It didn’t take long for Damian to come back from wherever it was he had gone. But seeing him come back with an injured child in his arms -who’s time was slowly coming to an end- was not something Bruce would ever think of seeing one day.

The scent of her blood quickly drew attention, Tim appearing in the room seconds after Damian’s arrival while Jason walked into the common room minutes later.

“She’s a mortal.” Tim stated, walking up to the shallow breathing girl, his claws itching to analyze her. It wasn’t everyday that a mortal came to the Underworld. “She’s not going to last here in that condition.” Tim watched as the girl whimpered and stirred in Damian’s arms, Tim knowing she would die in a few moments if Damian didn’t act fast.

“Might as well grant her a single wish before we-” Jason started, his tails low and swaying eagerly near the floor.

“Don’t you dare lay a finger on her, Todd.” Damian growled, his tail quickly wrapping around his katana.

Why did Jason have to drop by today?

“What if I don’t give a shit about your warning?” Jason said with a shit-eating grin, casually pulling out his guns from their holsters.

Damian let out an even deeper growl, his wings flaring in warning. Jason grinned as he let his own wings flare in response, Damian hating that they easily rivaled his own.

While bare boned and thin, the remains of Jason’s wings were twice the size of Damian’s, a reminder from Jason that he didn’t care about whether Damian was Bruce’s son or not. Jason never saw him as a threat. He would gladly challenge him anytime.

“Boys.” Bruce spoke, rising from his chair, his book long forgotten. “Enough.”

“Let the Spawn be.” Tim proposed, watching lazily as the two continued their stand off. “If he fails to fix that girl, then you can duel him for the girl’s soul.”

“Hmm...fair enough.” Jason said, releasing his guns from his grasp, only for his two tails to catch them. “I’ll be awaiting your failure, Demon Spawn.”

With that, Jason walked away, allowing Damian to lower his wings, making them settle against his back.

“You only have a few more minutes before she-”

“I don’t need you to remind me, Drake.” Damian huffed, taking Marinette to his private quarters, Goliath purring upon seeing him. “Not now Goliath.” He softly said, petting the creature with his tail, placing Marinette onto his bed.

He frowned upon seeing the festered skin, the skin clumping in attempts to heal itself.

“Hope you make it through.”

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Cold.

No…

Warm…

Dark…

It was very dark.

Marinette let out a shuddering breath as she attempted to breath, feeling something warm against her skin as her body trembled in agony as she tried to exhale.

Was she saved?

Who would save her?

No… she had to be dead.

Death sounded nicer than being alive.

“Seems like you’re awake.” A soothing voice said, Marinette quickly recognizing it.

It was the being from the ceremony. Where was he?

Marinette attempted to speak, but only air came out of her.

“Here, drink this.”

Marinette felt as her head was lifted, a cup of some sort, brought to her lips. But as soon as the iron hit her nose, she tightened her lips into a thin line.

“You need to drink this if you want to get better.”

When Damian saw that the frail girl continued to struggle, he simply pried her mouth open with a spell and forced her to drink the blood, watching as the girl sputtered to breath, going into a coughing fit.

Now it was up to her if she wanted to live or not. He already did his part.

“Why would you- oh.” Marinette surprised herself with her slight outburst.

She would speak without struggling, but she still couldn’t see. Bringing her hands to her face, she could feel the blindfold over her eyes. That would explain why everything was dark.

“Let me help you.”

Marinette flinched harshly as light broke through her dark view, having to blink rapidly to adjust to her surroundings.

Velvet, creams and shades of black adorned the room. Simple, yet an elegant choice of colors.

“What happened to the-“

“They’re dead.” Damian said, Marinette feeling the bed sink at the edge to where her feet were. “It’s the price they had to pay.”

He watched as Marinette frowned, attempting to sit up, wincing as she did so.

How did she forget about her scar?

He watched as Marinette traced her fingers over where the gash was once, now replaced by a lighter patch of skin. The scar had a golden lining, Damian watching her confused expression as she tried to piece together the different textures of her body.

“Will this stay like this?” Marinette asked, finally deciding to look at the being that had cared for her.

“It will.” The being responded, Marinette humming in return. “Is there a problem with it?”

“Won’t-Won’t others find it odd that my wound healed this way?”

“No one else will see it, and if they do,” Damian looked at her with narrow eyes. “They’ll know not to approach you without caution.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Golden lining around wounds and golden scars mark a person under Wayne's care or a Wayne themselves. Every demon in the Underworld knows best to avoid us and since you are under my care, they would know to not harm a single hair on you.”

“Wayne? Demons? Underworld?”

“I suppose it’s time for me to introduce myself to you.” The being said, Marinette watching as they walked up to her side, noticing their tail hanging above the ground and the wings that peered from behind them, “I’m Damian of the Wayne Manor, Damian Wayne for short.”

“Damian.” Marinette repeated, watching as his eyes softened. “Are… are you a de-”

“A demon? Yes. I’m the one that your cult tried to summon.”

“I wasn’t part of that cult.” Marinette corrected, turning her head away from Damian. “I was just the human sacrifice they decided to use that time.” Marinette dug her nails into her arms as she recalled her mother’s final words to her.

Damian wondered if he should tell her about what her mother told him before she was burned alive.

Should he tell her that her mother apologized for sacrificing her own daughter?

That she realized that what she did was the biggest regret of her life?

Should he tell her that her mother cried as she watched her daughter be taken away from her?

That she tried to grab a hold of him while he stepped into the portal, in a desperate attempt to die alongside her daughter?

He should probably keep that to himself.

“I see.” Damian said, walking towards the doorway. “By the way, how old are you?”

“11.” Marinette watched as Damian took that information, a hum escaping him.

I see. I will be back later to check on you.”

“Thank you, Damian.” He heard Marinette say.

“There’s no need to thank me.” Damian turned around, Marinette seeing a small smile on his lips. “I already told you, you’re under my protection. I will always be by your side.”

After all, she still had a whole life span ahead of her. 11 was no age to go ahead and die.

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Damian did come back later that day, fussing over her when he learned that she had tried to get up and managed to before she felt dizzy and had to lie back down.

Marinette soon regretted that, Damian now staying in the room with her, watching her every movement. He would also help to bathe her with a cloth and water and gave her clothing to wear.

The next few days were spent in comfort, Marinette and Damian getting to know one another and Marinette learning about the other residents of the Wayne Manor.

Damian learned that Marinette was a village girl, running a bakery alongside her parents until her father died during the Grand Plague. Falling into despair, Marinette’s mother seeked comfort in the cultists.

He also learned of her love for vegetation and botany. (He managed to convince his father to start a greenhouse in one of the manor’s rooms, quickly showing Marinette once it was done.)

Marinette learned to never speak fondly of Jason, as it got Damian into a bad mood and usually resulted in Damian chasing Jason around the manor for even looking at his ward.

“Todd, one day I will get my hands on you and stick a-”

“Woah there! Not in front of the child!” Jason would scandalize, covering Marinette’s ears. She would then be dragged away and carried by Jason, Damian hot on his heels.

Tim… Tim was just there, sometimes studying her from afar whenever she would join Damian into the manor library. If it wasn’t that, it was Tim teaching her the history of the Underworld, which then trailed to Tim and Damian debating on the topic of which Wayne actually caused the fall of a place called Byzantine. (It was Bruce. He didn’t mean for it to happen.)

Marinette didn’t meet Richard until a month later, accidentally running into him as she left her study that was next to the newly implemented greenhouse.

“Holy shit.” Where the first words that came out the man’s mouth, Marinette blushing as he soon cupped her face in his hands. “Tim wasn’t kidding when he said it was genetic.”

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Marinette hummed as she tended to her roses, trimming off some black ones to replace the dying ones inside the manor.

It’s been years since Marinette had left the mortal realm, 20 years to be exact, and yet… she remained 11. Or rather, looked 11 despite being 15 years of age.

When she had asked Damian why she wasn’t aging, he replied that demon blood had different side effects from bloodline to bloodline. It also depended on the soul of the individual who drank it.

The Wayne blood was always known for its quick recovery abilities, but once Marinette drank it, it morphed into having longevity abilities alongside its healing ones. And ever since other demons heard of this, they’ve countlessly tried to kidnap the mortal girl, waging war against the Waynes.

Of course, there have been a few close calls, but the Waynes were victorious in each battle.

“How are you doing?” Damian asked, Marinette showing him her arm, golden lines wrapped around her arm. Damian held in a growl upon seeing the scar, regretting not being able to get to Mari sooner than he thought in their latest attack.

“Better I suppose.”

“I should’ve been by your side when it happened.” Damian said as he inspected her arm, a scowl forming as he looked at it.

“Dad, I’m fine.” Marinette stated, yanking her arm away. “You know you couldn’t have known that Joker had me where he had me.”

Marinette remembered the first time she accidentally called Damian ‘Dad’. It was a little over a year since she remained at the manor. Damian had just gotten her a hellhound as a gift. Out of gratitude, she had said ‘thank you Dad’ and from there never heard the end of it, Jason and Dick always reminding her of the incident whenever they could. It was also then that she kept calling him that.

It just felt… right.

“I know, but still.” Damian pulled her close into a hug. “I should’ve been there to protect you.” Marinette hugged him back, knowing why he was so hung up on the guilt.

While they were demons, it didn’t mean they were void of emotions.

She still remembered the way he looked when he had finally reached her, his form unrecognizable if it weren’t for the fact that Grandpa Bruce was right behind him.

Getting tired of the moment, Marinette pushed herself away from Damian.

“By the way Dad, didn’t you promise me that I’d get to take Goliath for some fresh air?”

“I-”

“You. Promised.” Marinette enunciated, placing her hands on her hips, hiding her smirk when Damian huffed.

“Fine. But I’m coming as well.” Marinette grinned, throwing her arms in the air.

“Alright! Goliath! Did you hear that?” Upon being called, Goliath came down from where he was resting, licking Marinette, a set of giggles echoing within the garden. “We’re going for a walk!” At this, Titus came into the garden, huffing as he sat in front of Marinette. “You’re invited as well Titus.” At this, the hellhound let out a huff, but he couldn’t hide the excitement. His tail was also wagging with glee.

“Come on then, let’s get going.” Damian instructed, already leaving the room. “Wouldn’t want to come late for dinner. Alfred said he was making something special for tonight’s dinner. Something called a quiche.”

She quickly skipped to catch up, Goliath and Titus right behind her.

How could she have forgotten? Today marks the day she was welcomed into the manor.

20 years since the day her father brought her and welcomed her with open arms.

20 happy years with her beloved family.

While she did miss the mortal realm, she wouldn’t go there if she had the chance. This was her home, and she loved it dearly.

#maribat #Damian adopts a mortal!Marinette #anju writes

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talpup · 4 years ago

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Light In the Darkness:69

Summary: Yami Sukehiro just wanted to join the Magic Knights and make his mentor proud. He knew there would be trails. He knew trouble would come his way. Knew he would be faced with discrimination for being a foreigner and a peasant. What he didn’t know. Didn’t expect. Was that literal Chaos would come his way. That he and his mentor’s sister would be at the center of world ending trouble. Or that he would fall in love with his mentor’s sister and face more than discrimination; but the jealously of Nozel Silva who loved the same woman he did.

Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, eventual sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

NOTES: No one mentioned any need for markers to avoid the assault scene with the intention of sexual assault and rape. So that made it easy to format to html for ao3.

***Also I'm seriously considering participating in No Content November. While I have some super amazing regular and occasional commenters for this fic, it's really disheartening to see yet another fellow writer friend give up posting for lack of feedback. Yes we write for ourselves. And I'm sure that friend won't stop writing. But we post to interact with readers and fellow manga/anime fans. Just because the content the you read is free doesn't mean it didn't cost the author time and effort to write it. We're not machines. We have lives and feelings.

Readers pay for content with enthusiasm, feedback, questions, a simple thank you, or smash of the keyboard. PLEASE interact with your content creators! You have no idea what hearing from you means to us.

Anyway, I have a couple more weeks to decide though I'm leaning to yes. Not just to support my fellow writer friends, but because the feedback on some of my BNHA fics is less than 1% hits to comments and I'm seriously considering a full stop on posting those. Not only will this break give me a chance to decide if I want to continue or stop posting my BNHA stuff but it will also give me a chance to get further ahead on writing this fic as I really do like the large buffer I have between the chapter I'm posting and what I have finished.***

Chapter 69

Teris paused and looked in the direction that Jax, Gendry, and Quince had set off in at first light. The three had continued to travel with them two days after Jamie and his team had splintered off. They had entered the Diamond Kingdom a week ago. And by Zara’s reckoning they were three to four days out from Morris’ seat of power. Teris just hoped that the Wizard King was right. That their getting there was really going to end this mess. Otherwise it was going to get ugly fast.

Though they had a hard go. Setting a pace each day that left them exhausted and dreading the morning. Teris knew they were the lucky ones, with thus far the much easier task. She worried about Yami, Julius, and her friends. She worried about all the Magic Knights. Nozel, she, and the rest were so close to achieving their goal. If they failed now all the others efforts to the southeast and southwest would be for not. No doubt there were horrible injuries, if not a few deaths by now. Teris shook her head. No. She couldn’t allow herself to think on such things. Not here and now. She’d go mad with it all, wondering how Yami, Julius, and the others she held dear were doing.

At least Teris knew Yami was still alive. She turned back to the southeast. Even from such a great distance she could clearly sense his mana. It was as if in place of them being able to trust letting their mana feed off each others they had been left with the ability sense the others mana no matter the distance. It was probably because their mana was so turbulent that she could sense his from so afar.

While Teris had mourned the lost of their ability to boost each others mana; preferring it over this ability to sense Yami’s mana no matter the distance. She now found herself grateful for it. She may not know exactly what state Yami was in. But she knew he was alive. That she would see him again. And be able to hold him and feel his arms around her.

Reaching the point Teris had descended to, Nozel came beside her. Wordlessly, he held out a water skin.

Teris shook her head.

“Drink. You need to stay hydrated.” Nozel told.

Teris wasn’t sure it was an order; but she pretended it was and took the skin. She drank deeply, not having realized how thirsty she was. Cold as the nights were. The days were baking and brutal. It was late September. How was it still so hot?

Satisfied by Teris’ drinking, Nozel nodded slightly and surveyed the landscape below. “Zara’s map showed a creek on the other side of that hill.”

“If I never see another rocky hill again I’d be happy.” Teris muttered.

Nozel smirked, dryly. “You and me both. This would be so much quicker and easier if we could use our magic.”

Teris looked at him hopefully. “Can we? Please!”

Nozel shook his head.

“You’re the Captain.” She argued.

Nozel huffed. That had been the first playful comment she had made toward him since the incident with Jamie on the cliff.

“Even Captain's have orders to obey.” Nozel reminded.

“Fine.” Teris sighed, handing him back the water skin.

From the corner of her eye Teris watched Nozel take a drink without first cleaning the spigot as he did when forced to share with anyone else. So he still liked her, she thought sadly. She had hoped all that would have changed after the dreadful encounter with the kiss. Or after he had seen how well Yami and she got on after having been together for nearly ten months. Teris blinked at that, realizing just how long Yami and she had been together.

“You alright?” Nozel asked, seeing her expression change.

Teris blinked again, shooing away her thoughts. “Yeah. Fine.”

“You sure?” Nozel pressed.

The acting Captain glanced at her unbuttoned blouse, faint scarring still visible on the flat of her chest. He didn’t doubt that Teris was at full strength. They wouldn’t have allowed her be out here if she wasn��t. Nevertheless, Nozel couldn’t help but worry about her. Concerned over the quick pace he was having them travel. He wondered about Teris’ thoughts and emotional state too. Being back in the field after what she had been through on the Summer Solstice.

Teris tapped down her annoyance at his obvious concern and gave him an overly sweet smile. “Yes, Captain. I’m sure.”

Nozel looked her over realizing he had once again pressed the boundaries of proper Captaincy and strayed into being a friend and Intended. His lips twitched, angry at his failing.

His tempter bled into his words as he said, more harshly then intended. “Then get going. We still have a long way to travel before we reach the proposed camp.”

Teris did as he said, wondering what would happen if it got too dark before they reached the predetermined locations. Without Jax or Jamie it would completely be on Nozel to decide. Knowing Nozel, he’d likely make them press on unless the way, weather, or lack of celestial light made progress too treacherous.

They reached the bottom of the hill, Fuegoleon and Zara waiting between the one they had just descended and the one yet to be climbed.

“What’s the hold up?” Nozel asked, stepping beside his Vice Captain.

“I swore I saw something.” Fuegoleon said, eyes searching the barren landscape.

Nozel knew better than to suggest an animal. Fuegoleon could at times be overly cautious; but he wouldn’t delay their progress if he didn’t feel real concern.

“Where’s Randall?” Teris asked, her eyes and Nozel’s joining Fuegoleon’s and Zara’s in looking for sign of movement.

“I sent him to scout on ahead.” Fuegoleon answered.

“Using his air magic?” Nozel questioned.

Fuegoleon nodded and apologized. “Sorry Captain. I know we were instructed not--”

“No.” Nozel cut off his Vice Captain’s words. “If you saw something. It’s best we know quickly and without calling further attention to ourselves stumbling about.”

Fuegoleon relaxed a bit at Nozel understanding.

“Is it possible that these are some of the men you use to run ore with?” Teris questioned Zara, eyes still searching for color or movement.

Zara shook his head. “None that I worked with. It’s the rainy season further north. Soon after the ground will freeze over. These are the few months we spent at home. There were others though. Those not working--” He cleared his throat knowing better then to admit that the Clover Kingdom employed people to bring ore from the north through the Diamond Kingdom. “During this time they switched from smuggling ore to other things.”

“Such as?” Nozel question.

“Anything profitable really.” Zara answered. “Many did that sort of thing all year if they had a gang skilled enough and willing to take the risks it brought.”

“Name a few of these other so called profitable things.” Nozel commanded, blue eyes narrowing as they surveyed the surrounding hills. They were in the worst possible location. Sandwiched between two hillsides with not even a boulder or scrub bush as cover.

Zara shrugged. “Food. Magical items. Labor.”

“People?” Fuegoleon questioned, making sure he understood correctly.

Zara nodded.

Nozel sneered. “Slave traders.”

Zara blinked thinking he had already warned his Captain and team of this. “Did I not mention--”

“Shut up.” Nozel commanded Zara, readying his magic as he watched and waited.

Teris glanced from Nozel to Zara and back. “This isn’t his--”

“Not now.” Nozel softly barked.

They heard small rocks being disturbed.

“Where’s Randall?” Fuegoleon asked, more to himself. He silently cursed. Had he just sent his friend to his death?

Randall appeared at the top of the hill. Fuegoleon released the breath he’d been holding.

Nozel knew better than to relax. Something wasn’t right. That’s when someone else appeared beside Randall. Tendrils of mercury formed around Nozel, ready to fight.

Fire blossomed from Fuegoleon’s hands.

“I can get to him.” Teris said, fairly certain she could control her light travel enough not to permanently blind Randall.

Nozel knew what she meant. Even if light travel didn’t take so much out of her, they still didn’t know the situation well enough. Even if it was anyone other than Teris, he still wouldn’t have allowed it.

“No.” Nozel told her.

Teris’ hand glowed as she aimed at Randall’s captor.

“Not unless he makes a move or I give the word.” Nozel told his team.

“Magic Knights.” Another voice called from behind them.

Nozel cursed. He and Teris spun around while Fuegoleon and Zara kept watch on Randall and his captor.

“Stand down. You’re surrounded. And so heavily out numbered that I almost feel sorry for you.” The voice said.

Fuegoleon glanced at Nozel. He didn’t want to give up yet; but would follow his Captain's lead.

Nozel waited, calculating what to do. He could rain down mercury; but if there were foes on both hills it wouldn’t be a dense shower. If the man was telling the truth about his numbers, without knowing where they were hiding, Nozel could miss a large portion of them. Even if the man was lying and Nozel was able to take most of them out; not knowing where they were and the wide dispersion of rain would likely leave many still able to move or attack. His mercury rain was dense and capable of poisoning. But if injury was only a small open wound it would take time for the effects for poisoning to incapacitate.

“Watch Randall and the one that has him.” Nozel ordered Fuegoleon. “Teris. Zara. Be ready for my word.”

Zara turned his focus back to the hill they had just come down. Teris switched her aim to the man that had spoken to them.

The man wasn’t standing too far from where Nozel and Teris had stopped and talked. Nozel remembered a gouge in the rocky hill face not far from that area, big enough to hide six or eight. He wondered how many such chasms scarred the hill; no longer thinking them natural, but created by these people for this very reason.

“Your bravery will get you and your people killed. Killing you will mean me and mine don’t get paid. Those who serve the Beast must always be paid.” The man said, referring to himself in the third person.

“Then let us continue on our way. We’d rather die than surrender to the likes of you.” Nozel said.

Beast gave a humored smile. “The likes of me? Now you’ve gone and hurt my feelings Magic Knight. You don’t even know me. Fine.” He sighed. “I’ll show you what you’re up against. Just how futile fighting is. Half of you stand.”

Nozel’s eyes widened at the force before him. Even if the man was blustering and this was all of his force; it was still a good sixty to seventy people.

“Stand down.” Nozel told the others.

Facing thirty plus on the hill Randall was on, Fuegoleon did as his Captain told. Zara followed suit.

“We can take them.” Teris said.

Fuegoleon glanced at her, angry that she was once again challenging their Captain. That’s when he saw the numbers on the hill Nozel, she, and Zara were facing.

“Stand down, Teris.” Fuegoleon told.

His voice made her turn. Seeing the numbers on her cousins side, Teris lowered her hand, the glow of light fading.

“That’s so unfair it’s not even funny.” Teris ground out in complaint about the near hundred scattered about on the two hills.

“We’ll get out of this.” Nozel swore to them, softly. “We just have to survive to be able to do so.” He turned back to Beast and called. “Well?”

“All your people.” Beast said.

Nozel’s brow furrowed. His eyes darted over to Teris, Fuegoleon, and Zara making sure they all had obeyed his command. He glanced back at Randall who still stood captive at the top of the hill.

“This is all my people.” Nozel said.

The Beast pointed. “Don’t lie to me! You think having them travel hidden and separate will keep them safe?”

“There is no one else.” Nozel told, wondering what kind of game the man was playing at. Maybe he had some kind of vendetta against Magic Knights and simply wanted a reason to kill them? But why then give them the option of standing down?

Thirty meters away an Invisibility Mage muttered. “This isn’t good.”

The Gravity Mage with her suggested. “Make Teris invisible and I’ll make her float up out of harms way. She’s the one that matters. We can just let the others die.”

“We’re tasked to protect her. What you’re suggesting would put her in danger.” The Invisibility Mage whispered back, harshly.

“In more danger than she’s already in?” The Gravity Mage retorted.

“No one’s attacking right now. If we do as you suggest they will be. Can you guarantee that she won’t get hit in the crossfire and killed?” The Invisibility Mage questioned

“This is a mess.” The Gravity Mage rumbled.

“I told you not to hover so close, Daryin.”

“So this is my fault?” Daryin asked.

“In a way, yes. If we hadn’t followed so close they might not know we were here.”

“But Teris would still be captured, Gwen.”

“But we’d still be free to watch over and protect her, unnoticed and unchallenged. I’m making us visible.”

“What! Gwen! No!”

All eyes turned to the two newly appeared mages.

“That’s better.” Beast smiled.

Beast, along with several others, jumped; his Air Mage depositing them safely before the Magic Knights. Others lept and landed around their other two prey.

Beast grabbed Nozel by the throat and lifted him up. “You’ll pay for lying to me, Magic Knight.”

Teris made for him. “Stop it!”

Fuegoleon reached to stop her; but was too slow. Beast released Nozel, who crumpled to the ground coughing and sucking in lungfuls of air. Beast grabbed Teris by the arm, pulling her to him.

Teris knew she wasn’t strong enough to pull away. Instead she allowed her feet to follow the direction she was yanked, using the added momentum. Her knee rose and smashed Beasts in the groin with all the power she could physically muster. Only her knee hit something hard and solid that made her jerk and wince in pain.

Teris wobbled on her still good leg, held up by her arm by Beast.

With a huff, Beast smirked down at her. “Think you’re the first wild one to try such a thing? I learned long ago to protect my favorite weapon against women such as you.” He leered over her, getting in her face. “In fact I may just use that weapon on you later. Take a sample to better know the worth of what I’m selling.”

“Leave her alone!” Nozel pushed to his feet, only to be kicked back down by one of Beast’s men.

Fuegoleon and Zara stepped toward Beast, only to be halted when the man standing over Nozel kicked him for every step they took.

Teris spat at the Beast. “I’d kill myself before I let you near me. You think you’re the worst I’ve faced?”

Beast hooted. “You are a feisty one! Aren’t you! I like that!” He got back in her face. “I may just keep you and break you myself.”

With great effort Fuegoleon kept his temper. Seeking to inform and divert the mans attention away from Teris, he said. “They’re not with us.”

Beast looked over at him. He pushed Teris roughly away and stepped toward Fuegoleon.

Nozel barely caught Teris before her head hit a gagged rock.

“What’s that?” Beast asked.

Fuegoleon looked up at Beast refusing to be intimated. The name, though not creative, suited the man. Beast had to be nearly seven feet tall. He was built like a mountain, his muscles seeming to have muscles. Though Fuegoleon had seen a number of men who were bigger than Tobin Giantsbane and Yami Sukehiro, he had never seen a person that made the two Black Bulls seem small. Till now.

“I said, they are not with us.” Fuegoleon repeated, wondering who the two were and how long they had been secretly following them. His first thought upon seeing them was that they were Magic Warriors or some sort of spy's working for the Diamond Kingdom. But that didn’t seem right. “If you look, you’ll see they’re not wearing Magic Knights cloaks. I know you think they were traveling hidden and separate to keep them safe. But, we didn’t know they were there.”

Beast looked back between the two groups and laughed. “And here I thought the Clover Kingdoms Magic Knights were suppose to be elite mages. You got caught in our trap and were being followed by those two and didn’t see any of it coming!”

Beast roared with amusement, his people following suit. Their mocking laughter echoed off the hills. Teris looked spitefully up at them. If only she could control her magic well enough to incinerate them all without turning her comrades to ash. She had done it at the Battle at the Border and on three other occasions; but that had been before the Summer Solstice. Before her mana had been churned into a raging, never ending whirlwind that she had to keep tightly harnessed at all times. It left her feeling angry and ashamed that she couldn’t protect her squad members and friends, and get them out of this.

“Don’t feel so down on yourself Magic Knights. I can’t speak for your stalkers over there, but us... No one, no matter how good, would’ve seen the trap we laid.” Beast said. “We’ve got this gig down. Still, we’ve never once caught us a group Magic Knights. There’s going to be a bidding war for the lot of you. Get ready for the best payday you’ve ever seen boys and girls!”

The surrounding gang of mages cheered.

Nozel gripped Teris’ arm as he surveyed the surrounding enemy. He was Captain. This was on him. ��Anything that happened to them was his doing.

“You don’t do anything unless I say.” He whispered to Teris.

Teris’ eyes turned to him. “What if--”

“That’s an order.” Nozel rasped, harshly.

After the attention Teris had already drawn to herself, Nozel wasn’t about to let her attempt something that would further these people’s attention and aggression toward her. As much as the thought angered and disgusted him, Teris was in the most danger here. Men like this didn’t respect a ladies honor. Their Leader had already threatened as much.

Nozel would never allow such a thing to happen. He was sure Fuegoleon, Randall, and Zara felt the same. They’d fight to the death before they’d let something like that happen to Teris. Just the thought that someone had dared to threaten her with such a thing filled him with such rage that his hands clenched.

“Nozel.” Teris winced.

He looked at her then followed her gaze. His bruised throat throbbed even more as he struggled to swallow a swell of new emotions. He quickly opened his hand, releasing her arm to find a red print marring her skin where he had held her. “I’m--”

“Button up.” Fuegoleon whispered, lips barely moving as Beast stepped over to survey the two that had been following them.

Fuegoleon trusted Randall and Zara enough to not look at his cousin in such a way. But men like this, even if Teris was covered up completely, would still stare and desire.

With slightly trembling hands, Teris did has her cousin instructed. The scars on her chest were still slightly visible under certain light but hiding them didn’t when faced with the heat of day. She would've taken off the thin over blouse, leaving her in just a tank top, if it hadn’t provided some sort of protection from the sun.

“We won’t let anything happen to you.” Zara promised her.

Staring at the two that had been following the Magic Knights, one of the gang members asked. “Are you sure you believe they aren’t with them? Could be that they’re nobility and the Magic Knights are protecting them.”

“Look at them.” Beast gestured to the two. “Even if they weren’t dressed like that, they don’t have the right look about them.”

“The right look?” The gang member questioned.

“Their hands. Their eyes.” Beast made his way back to the Magic Knights and pointed at Nozel and Fuegoleon. “I reckon those two are nobility. The girl has the right glare and attitude too. If it wasn’t for her hands, I’d have guessed she was high class as well. But there’s no way a fine noble lady would have hands like those.”

Teris scowled, fighting the urge to look at her hands. What was wrong with them? So it had been almost a year since Mistress had forced a manicure on her. But were her nails really that bad and different from Fuegoleon and Nozel’s?

Beast looked her over. He didn’t know what he had said to garner such a hate filled look from her, likely just continuing to exist was enough. The girl certainly had the hateful, haughty eyes and bearing of a noble. Maybe she had been one once or her house was near its end. Or maybe she had picked up the behaviors of the two noblemen she traveled with. Maybe one, or both of them, were grooming her as their courtesan. No. That didn’t sound right. If either of these two men had such designs on her, they’d make sure she was taken care of and looked the part. No man, even a prissy noble, liked their hands to be prettier than their woman's. Though there did seem to be a curious dynamic between the girl and two nobles.

No matter, Beast thought. If he were interested in a persons life story he would be doing something different. He looked up to where his man was holding the other Magic Knight. “Do it!”

The Magic Knights in front of him turned in time to seen their comrade fall to the ground. Before they could react Beast’s people knocked them out as was. He looked over at the other two that had been following the Magic Knights. “Anything more you want to say before we put you go to sleep too?”

“Our Master will not stand for this!” Daryin yelled, unwilling to be hushed by his companion. “You’ve made a grave mistake!”

Beast laughed, his people following suit. “And who is your Master? Tell me of his fearsome accomplishments.”

“He is Death himself.” Daryin said, lifting his chin proudly

Beast stopped at that. There was only one man he knew that was referred to in such a way.

“Pip.” Beast called to his second in command.

Pip stepped forward, her long hair tangling in the wind as she came beside him. “Boss?”

Beast nodded to two of his people, silently ordering them to knock out the tag-alongs.

The two Agents of Chaos crumpled to the ground.

Beast lifted his hand, giving his gang the signal to wrap it up and move out. A few others came down to help pick up and take away their haul.

“See that the Magic Knights and those two are put in different cell blocks. Then put the word out with our contacts. Let it be known we have a man and woman claiming to belong to the Agents of Chaos. Say that they were following a team of Magic Knights. And that we will wait three days before putting them on the market just in case the Master of Chaos has an interest or wishes to claim any of them.”

“Sure thing, Boss.” Pip nodded.

Beast looked around at his people. Raising his voice so the gang could hear, he ordered. “No one harms the men or touches either of the women. They may not be ours to toy with just yet.” He heard some of his men grumble and complain, and told. “Either way, you can be sure we’ll get paid a pretty sum for them.”

He wondered what two Agents of Chaos were doing following a squad of Magic Knights. That was if they had been telling the truth. But if they knew of the Master of Chaos, then they would know he was not someone to be mentioned so casually, even in the hope of freedom. There were far worse things than being sold into indentured servitude if caught misusing the Master of Chaos’ name. And pretending to be in league with him when not would see those worse things come to pass.

69.2

It had been four days since Mereoleona let Yami back on the front lines of the battlefield. Still, the Crimson Lions Captain had continued to watch him closely. Yami could feel the Vermilion’s eyes on him as he fought, making sure that he stayed in line.

The fearsome Lioness could watch him all she liked, Yami thought. He had learned his lesson and learned it well. He was not someone who sat back and cared for returning fighters. He didn’t have the temperament or emotional aptitude for it. Because of that he had made a whole host of new enemies among his fellow Magic Knights; having thrown them water skins from afar which had smacked them in the face, or simply told them to get their own damned refreshment. His eyes had never left the battlefield the entire time he had been back there. Those two long, seemingly endless days of not fighting alongside his fellows had killed him.

Returning from the front line, Yami collapsed under the shade of a tree, accepting the water skin that was handed to him.

Sitting a few paces away, Mereoleona commented. “You’re doing well out there. Never stepped out of line once.”

Yami said nothing. Though still on the lookout for the Smoke Mage Lotus Whomalt, he had stopped actively searching for him. He sighed, grateful that Teris’ cousin had let him back out to fight. He wasn’t about to ruin it by speaking up. Just give him a hour or two of rest and he’d be ready to go out there again.

The Crimson Lions Captain got to her feet. She had to report to Commander Greywright. “Rest up. We go again in four hours.”

“War is stupid.” Yami grumbled.

Mereoleona looked down at him. “Don’t tell me you were one of those idiots that thought it glorious.” “No.” Yami said. He might not be the smartest person around; but only a fool would think war was glorious. “Still, I didn’t think it was like this.”

“It’s not.” Mereoleona confessed. “Not really. Remember. We’re only fighting as a distraction. If this were a real war without trying for peace, it’d be different. Though no less stupid. Battles are fun and may have meaning. Wars.” She shook her head and sighed. “They’re nothing but foolish endeavors no matter how noble the cause.”

Yami made a face of disgust. The reason for this particular war was certainly foolish and far from noble.

“Get some rest. That’s an order.” Mereoleona told him, walking off.

Yami wasn’t the best at following orders; but currently that was a command he had no trouble obeying. He laid back on the dusty, packed earth. Stretching out, he closed his eyes. As usual when he had a moment of peace to himself, his thoughts drifted to Teris.

His sense of her mana told him she was alive. But that didn’t mean she was safe. Then again she was traveling with two men who loved and adored her nearly as much as he did. He trusted Nozel and Fuegoleon. Knew the two men were highly capable. Between Teris herself, Nozel, and Fuegoleon; Yami was confidant that no harm would come to her.

Yami recalled his birthday before the Crimson Lion and Silver Eagle arrived. He hadn’t meant to take things so far that morning. But could anyone blame him? He could still hardly believe Teris’ boldness. Referring to herself as his gift. Not that he hadn’t liked it. He had liked it a bit too much as the resulting outcome had proved. What he had liked even more was that Teris felt comfortable and free enough with him to show such a side of herself. Yami growled, his thoughts sending his blood south.

Eyes closed, hands laced behind his head, Yami drowsily told his growing erection. “I’ll beat you later. Just let me rest. And, no. I’m not talking to you.” He told, sensing Bronn’s presence.

“Didn’t think you were.” Bronn said, sitting a couple meters away with a tired grunt. “I think every man here is telling their spear pretty much the same. Why do you think so many little ones are born nine or so months after peace is made? Not that you’ll be doing any of that. You got yourself a fine bred lady and will have to wait. Won’t you? That’s if she’s good on her word and doesn’t end up wedding that royal brat like she’s told.”

Yami opened an eye and looked at the Vice Captain.

“I could introduce you to some clean lass’ who know how to keep quiet about their dealings.” Bronn offered. “Black Sheep need never know. I’ll even pay for your first go. Consider it thanks for saving my ass out there this morning.”

The offer was so ludicrous it didn’t even bare response. Yami closed his eye.

“Come on, kid.” Bronn urged, sitting forward. “If it all works out with Black Sheep the way you’re hoping, you’re gonna need some sort of experience. I’ve been in the baths when you’re there. That thing you’re packing will do more than scare the girl. It’ll--”

Yami’s eyes flashed open. He sat up, hand on the hilt of his katana.

Bronn held up his hands. “Got it! Got it! No talk of sex talk where Black Sheep’s involved. Geesh, you really do got a temper. Don’t you.”

Yami slowly released the blades hilt. Laying back down, he grumbled. “I liked it better when you hated me.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Boy. I still hate your troublesome, disrespectful ass. I certainly still think you’re making a big mistake pursuing that girl. Whether she’s willing to give it all up or not. Royals are nothing but trouble. Black Sheep even more so. Look at the mess you’re in with these zealots and the folk hired to kill you.”

Yami didn’t respond. He didn’t care one lick what Bronn thought. He only wished he hadn’t stepped in to help the Vice Captain, and instead left him to die. Then Bronn wouldn’t be here bothering him, trying to figure out a way to repay him. It didn’t matter that supporting and defending each other was what Magic Knights did. This was the two of them. Yami had saved Bronn’s life; and Bronn couldn’t go on feeling he owed Yami his life. The debt had to be paid.

Annoyed, Yami gritted his teeth. “You want to thank me. Go. Away.”

Bronn looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Was the young man that stupid? That’s not how this sort of thing worked. Yami had put himself at risk to help and save him. In order to clear the debt, Bronn would either have to do the same or provide a service of great cost. The woman he had in mind to service Yami was certainly that. Most of her clients were nobles, with a few wealthy merchants here and there. Before Gilly, he had occasionally visited her. The woman, looking for a good dirty romp without weak men or creepy kinks, use to call upon and take him without fee. It had certainly been a boost to his ego.

“What’s with that face?” Yami asked.

Bronn turned to the younger man, mind clearing of lewd memories. “What’s that?”

“You look proud. Almost—happy. It’s creepy. Stop it.”

Bronn picked up a small rock and threw it at him. “Shut up! I’m happy a lot.”

“When? I’ve never seen you happy.” Yami quipped

“That’s because you’re around and you piss me off.” Bronn said, throwing another rock.

The two started when rock passed through Yami.

“What are you doing.” Bronn demanded. He got to his feet knowing it wasn’t Yami.

Yami stood as well, hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his katana. “It’s not me.”

“Shut up and step through the portal.” Bronn snapped, recognizing a different form of transportation magic.

Yami growled but did as he was told. Bronn spun around, looking across the camp to where he had sent him. He cursed seeing that it hadn’t work. Yami was still fading.

Yami appearing in front of him, Bran blinked in surprise eyes clearing. The bees he was controlling to listen in on the enemies plans released from his hold. “Yami! What are you--” His head pulled back, brows furrowing. “You look weird. What’s the matter?”

Yami looked down at his hands. He could see through them now. Despite that, he could still feel himself. He was still able to grip his blade. Bran stood, the both of them seeming to have the same idea. The two reached out trying to grasp the others arm. Bran’s hand passed through Yami’s forearm. Yami’s hand doing the same with Bran’s.

Yami continued to fade. At this rate it wouldn’t be much longer before he completely disappeared.

“Captain Heath!” Bran yelled, worry taking over his voice.

Bronn stepped through a portal with someone in tow. He slapped Bran’s head. “Quit screaming. That singing fool can’t do anything about this.” He said of the Purple Orcas Captain.

Yami stepped back when the woman that had arrived with Bronn stepped into his space.

“Let her do her thing! She’s scenting you.” Bronn snapped at Yami.

Yami frowned, but stayed put. He looked down at the woman as she stuck her face into his chest taking long, deep breaths through her nose. Though he couldn’t physically feel her face passing through his chest; it was still a weird feeling.

“Hurry it up, lass.” Bronn urged.

The transport was nearly complete. Yami nothing more than a faint ghost.

“Done!” The woman declared.

Bronn felt a wave of relief wash over him. As Yami disappeared, he swore. “We’ll find you.”

“Where is he! What was that?” Bran exclaimed.

Bronn frowned. “Dimensional travel. Only a few types of magic can even track it. Lucky for us, such travel couldn’t have taken him far. We’ll have you look from the sky, and Etta here try to sniff him out. But first, go inform Greywright and Mereoleona what’s happened. Tell them we’ll need someone capable of busting their way in once we find him.”

Bran stepped to the Black Bulls Vice Captain. “I want--”

Bronn grabbed Bran by the shirt collar. “I don’t give a damn what you want, boy! Now get!” He shoved Bran in the direction of the Magic Knights Commanders tent.

Heath arrived, having hear Bran's call. “I know you’re his Vice Captain but--”

“Not now, Bard!” Bronn snapped. “They got the Lord of Destruction. Again.”

Heath straightened at that. “Who? Surely not the Agents of Chaos again.”

“I don’t know who. Muscle Head has all sorts after him.” Bronn said, snidely.

The Captain noted Bronn’s weakened mana. “At least let me help you out. Restore you before you go.”

“Fine. Sing us one of your little shanty's and make us feel better.” Bronn allowed.

He might’ve made light of Heath’s magic; but the Purple Orcas Captain was a powerful mage. And though he’d never say it, Bronn was exceedingly grateful for the mans efforts. By the end of the short song, Bronn was refreshed, his mana levels back to full.

Looking to Etta, Bronn urged. “Let’s go lass. I got a debt to cross off.”

69.3

“Teris. Teris. Wake up.”

Teris opened her eyes and found herself in an all too frightening familiar situation. She really had to stop waking up in cells. If she could just quit being captured all together that would be great.

She touched the base of her skull, wincing at the painful bump that was there. Blinking, she looked up. A small smile of relief crossed her face at the sight of Fuegoleon, Nozel, Zara, and Randall.

She looked around, taking in the iron bars. “You guys okay?”

“That’s what I was about to ask you.” Nozel said, watching her for sign of injury.

“Got the mana of all headaches. But I’m good.” Teris said, sitting up against the bars that adjoined with the boys cell.

She didn’t feel at all reassured that she was being kept in a separate cell from them; and she could see from their expressions and the way they kept on watching the door that they didn’t either. Teris laid a hand over the belt buckle Yami had given her. Grateful as she was for it, she hoped she wouldn’t need to use the blade hidden within.

“Has anyone been in? Said anything?” Teris asked.

“Zara woke first. He says it’s been quiet.” Fuegoleon told.

“Where are the other two? The cloaked ones that were following us.” Teris wondered.

“That was strange.” Randall commented. Though he hadn’t heard much from his captured position at the top of hill, seeing those other two had surprised him.

After Randall woke, Fuegoleon had relayed everything that had been said while he let Nozel think. Though Fuegoleon would never admit it, he knew Nozel had the better strategic mind.

Fuegoleon and Nozel looked at each other, both wondering the same thing. The Vermillion turned back to his cousin, Teris’ expression telling him she thought the same. That the Agents of Chaos or some other interested group had been following them.

Fuegoleon gritted his teeth. He wondered how long the two tag-alongs had been with them. If he had failed to notice danger stalking them, how could he hope to protect his cousin and fellows from harm?

The door opened and a man entered.

Fuegoleon fought the urge to make his way closer to Teris’ cell, knowing such an act would only draw further attention to her.

“Magic Knights.” The man said, setting down a tray of food in front of the men's cell. He eyed them. “Not so magical in a mana blocked hold are you? Beast is taking his time. Waiting to give first bid of you all to a particularly scary customer. I almost feel sorry for you if he’s the one who buys you lot. He’s a real nasty fellow. Slice you all up for parts and throw away the rest he will.”

Teris felt the blood drain from her face. Is this where Alowishus Spade got the mages for his sick corpse magic? But what about the two that had been following them? Were they not Agents of Chaos? If not, then who were they? And where were they now?

The man smiled. “Sorry. You boys will have to split the meal among the four of you. I only have two hands.” He moved and bent in front of Teris’ cell, setting a bowl of gruel on the floor. “Maybe you’ll be nice enough to share your portion with them. Are you a nice girl that likes to share?” He looked her over, licking his lips. “Want to share with me? I’ll see you get all the best cuts if you treat me real nice like.”

Teris’ hand drifted back to her belt buckle. Though she still had her grimoire, it would do her little good in a mana blocked cell.

The man looked back at the door he had come through. The Magic Knights tensed, none of them liking the feel of this. Almost as one, Nozel, Fuegoleon, Zara, and Randall reached through the bars when the jailer unlocked Teris’ cell. They started yelling, both to threaten the man and attract attention of any other guard that could stop this.

Teris pressed back against the shared bars of the guys cell. The man reached for her. He managed to grab her leg and tried to pull her away from the adjoining cell. Teris kicked out with her other leg, knocking him in the jaw. She pulled her leg back and tucked it under her, squeezing as close to the bars as she could. If they could make enough noise. Get someone else to enter, see what was going on, and put a stop to it.

She held onto the bars with one hand, the other free and clasping the hidden weapon within her buckle. She was tempted to pull the blade out now. Wanted to threaten the man with it. But such a thing wouldn’t work. If anything he’d bring in the weapon he had left outside the cell with the keys.

No. Teris had wait and do exactly as Yami had taught her. She had to leave the little knife hidden until the moment she had to use it.

The man laughed and tried to grab her leg again. The reach of her comrades outstretched arms kept him at bay.

Nozel’s hand gripped over Teris’ in effort to secure her hold on the cells bar. He could see the wild fear in her eyes, which only grew when the man once again managed to grab a hold of her ankle.

Though it had cost the man a good patch of hair and some scraps and bruises, he laughed, not feeling any of it. Getting a better grip on Teris, he pulled. Fuegoleon, Randall, and Zara now moved to assist Nozel in holding Teris fast.

The man was able to grip her around the waist now. He gave one last rough jerk. The others hold broke. Teris was slammed against the bars on the opposite side of the cell. If that hadn’t stunned her, the man adding his weight into the mix as he followed and rammed into her did.

The breath was knocked out of her. One side of her face screamed, throbbing in pain along area it had met one of the bars. Teris’ shoulder was grabbed. Before she could catch her breath, she was spun around. The other side of her face echoed in pain as she was back handed. Spots blurred her vision. It was a struggle to stay calm and remember what Yami had taught her.

The man thought he had won. He thought that she was some Magic Knight unaccustomed to fighting with anything but magic. But he was wrong. His arrogance was her strength. Teris waited a second after he let his guard down. His lecherous smile sickened as he looked her over.

Teris’ hand once again drifted to her belt buckle.

The mans smile grew. “You’re one those, huh? Likes to put up a fight but is all cooperative af--”

His words turned into a cry of alarm and pain as Teris charged him, driving the three inch blade into one of the key areas Yami had instructed her to. Again and again she hit, the blade puncturing and slicing with every punch she gave to his groin. Even when she had him against the opposite bars and Nozel was there to wrap an arm around the mans throat, Teris still didn’t stop.

As soon as the man had ripped Teris away, Nozel had taken a step back, frantically searching for weak points in the cells wall. They couldn’t rely on anyone hearing them and coming it. And what was to say that whoever came would put an end to this anyway? The person could just as easily help Teris’ attacker.

Judging where the weakest point was, Nozel had instructed the others and they began pounding themselves against it. He was pretty sure Fuegoleon had dislocated his shoulder as he had switched sides; but that didn’t matter now. Together they had loosened the connection point and begun to bend a bar up.

When Nozel saw Teris charge, not stopping till the man was within his reach; he was there to wrap a forearm around the mans neck, gripping his wrist with his other hand. Blind with rage, Nozel wasn’t going to stop squeezing till he choked the mans life out of him.

The others had managed to lift bend bar enough for the smallest of them to get through.

“Zara! The keys.” Fuegoleon ordered as the Purple Orca crawled through into Teris’ cell.

But all seemed to stop when Teris fell back crying and bloody.

“Teris!” Zara rushed to her.

Teris pulled away when he neared.

Zara held up his hands. He glanced at the man. Seeing him dead, Zara soothed. “Teris. It’s okay. It’s just me. He’s gone. Dead. It’s over. Are—are you okay?” He felt stupid for asking such a thing. Of course she wasn’t okay. “Are you injured?”

Teris touched her face, trying to take stock.

“This blood?” Zara asked, gently.

At that she shook her head. She looked down at the small knife she had instinctively slipped back into the belt buckle just the way Yami had taught her. “It’s—it’s not mine.”

The four male Magic Knights relaxed at that.

“The keys.” Fuegoleon commanded, again.

This time Zara listened. As soon as the cell was open, Fuegoleon was through the door and in Teris’ cell. He scooped her up to her feet with his good arm, the other still dislocated and pinned to his side.

“I got you. I got you.” Fuegoleon breathed, hugging her tight. He looked over her shoulder to Nozel who still held the man in a choke hold.

It was then that Fuegoleon saw what Zara had somehow missed. The torn fabric and bloodied mess all around the mans groin. He held Teris tighter, wondering where she had gotten a weapon. Off her attacker maybe?

Randall placed a hand on his Captain's shoulder. “He’s dead, sir. We should get out of here.”

Nozel gave a nod. Still, he found it difficult to let go of the hold. Slowly, he forced his hand open, releasing his wrist. The man slumped to the floor. Pulling his arm back from between the bars, Nozel looked down at the man.

“Sir?” Randall pressed.

With a blink, Nozel forced his mind to focus. He looked at Fuegoleon, silently inquiring about Teris. Not that it really mattered. They had to get out of here whether she was good to move of not. He saw his friend whisper something to her.

Teris nodded. She grabbed the Crimson Lions arm, and quickly and efficiently popped his shoulder back into place.

Fuegoleon gritted. A guttural groan escaped from clenched teeth.

Nozel huffed, realizing what Fuegoleon had asked as a barometer to see if Teris was alright.

Stepping out of the cell, the acting Captain ordered. “Let’s go.”

69.4

Before Yami managed to cloak his blade in darkness someone grabbed him from behind. Big mistake, he thought. Gripping the persons arm with his left hand, Yami threw them over his shoulder. He twisted the arm till he felt it slide out of place.

The figure below grunted in pain. Yami lowered his katana to the mans neck. It was then that Yami saw his attackers face.

Yami halted, though didn’t lift his blade. “Cin?”

“Yami!” Cin looked up. He held up the hand of his good arm, staying the gang around them. “What the hell, man!”

Yami blew a strand of hair out of his eye. Teris was right. He really did need a haircut.

Yami took in the surrounding gang. “Was about to ask you the same. We good?”

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re good.” Cin winced, sitting up. “Stand down everyone.”

Seeing the gangs magical attacks that had been ready strike disperse, Yami relaxed a bit.

Cin looked up at him. “You mind?”

Yami sheathed his katana. Holding his hand out to the mans good arm, Yami pulled him up. As he did so he gripped and popped Cin’s shoulder back into place.

“Son of a--” Cin shouted. Some of his people laughed while others looked ready to attack again. “Damn it! Your touch is still as gentle as a hammer.”

“Thought I’d gotten better.” Yami mumbled, mildly chagrined. Though he hadn’t had as much practice putting joints back into place as he use to.

Cin huffed. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? Wasn’t it one of yours that brought me. I certainly didn’t come willingly.”

“Sorry about that.” Cin apologized.

Yami looked about at the surrounding mages. “So you’re running a gang?”

“You could say that, I guess.” Cin admitted, carefully. “What about you? Never thought I’d see you on a battlefield fighting for the Clover Kingdom.” He looked Yami over. “A Magic Knight. When did that happen?”

Yami shrugged. “Few years back.”

“So, who is she? Was she worth it?” Cin asked.

The slight tension that have never left Yami, grew. “What?”

“The girl who’s father hired us to kill you.” Cin said, assuming their employer was some girls father.

“Who’s that?” Yami asked, hoping for a name. Though he had no doubt who had sent them.

Cin chuckled. “What? There’s more than one girl?”

“No. But her father’s dead. So.” Yami lifted a shoulder, staring at his old friend.

Cin shook his head. “I remember when you didn’t have interest or time for girls. Said they were nothing but trouble and a distraction.”

“Well, she certainly is that.” Yami admitted.

“Hence why you’re keeping women to the one.” Cin smirked.

Yami didn’t answer. Let Cin fill in the blanks however he liked. Good as it was to see him, Yami didn’t know him anymore. It had been years since they had last seen each other. Years since Yami had left the tunneled home that housed a pack of fellow boys who had followed him after he had kicked each of their asses.

A couple of those boys had even doubled up in fights against him. Cin and Damon had been two of those. It still hadn’t made a difference. Yami had laid them out like the rest. Before he knew it he had a gang answering to him. Nice as it had been. He hadn’t wanted it. Hadn’t asked or demanded any of them follow him. Rather he had done his best to shoo them off. But they had still followed. Feeling lost and without purpose, Yami had gotten restless and wandered off one day, never to return.

He had met Julius soon after; and from there his life was changed. Yami had occasionally wondered what had happened to his pack of friends, but never enough to go back and look for them.

“What happened to you?” Cin asked. “One day you were just—gone. You get pinched or something?”

“Or something.” Yami answered.

Cin glowered. This was the Yami he remember. Quiet. Distant. Hard to read and difficult to work with. Which was why he was so surprised to see Yami was a Magic Knight. Following orders wasn’t Yami’s style.

Yami looked around, wondering if there were any other familiar faces. “The others? Damon?”

“We all kind of went our own way after you disappeared. Damon, Rigel, and I stuck together for a while. Rigel left a couple months back. Got a girl pregnant and wanted to do right by her.”

“And Damon?” Yami asked, remembering that he and Cin had been inseparable.

“Dead.” Cin answered.

Yami’s lip twitched. “Damn.”

“Yeah.” Cin said. He didn’t want to go into further detail. Yami didn’t deserve it.

“So how much did Nathyn Silva pay you?” Yami asked.

Cin looked up, knowing without a doubt he had never mentioned a name. Mainly because he didn’t know the name himself.

Working through a broker, Cin never met his clients. It worked better for all involved that way. A letter detailing the target, along with half the fee, came in. He and his gang did the job, and the second half of the pay came in after. It worked for him. While he had his ways of figuring out who hired him; he had rarely had a mind to know or need to figure it out. Nobody had ever tried to stiff him, so he never had reason to put in the effort of learning a clients name.

“I didn’t mention no Silva.” Cin said. “I wasn’t even sure I guessed right about it being about a girl. I just figured it wasn’t a gambling debt. You were too good at games to wrack up a sum someone was willing to kill you over.”

Yami massaged the tension out of his neck. “So you’re really not going to tell me, even though I know.”

“Not that I’d tell you if I knew myself. But I really don’t know.” Cin said. He looked his long time friend over. “Sounds like you do though.”

Yami sighed. “Yeah. Not that it’ll do me a lot of good.” He watched Cin a moment. “How do you want to handle this?”

Cin raised a questioning brow. “What do you mean?”

Yami looked around at the others still surrounding him. “Well, you were paid to take me out.”

Cin shook his head. “Ain’t happening.”

“Come on.” Yami bolstered. “You got what? Fifteen. Twenty. At your command.”

Cin shook his head again. “I saw you on the battlefield from afar. I had my concerns then. But a job’s a job. Now that I know it’s you. No way.”

“A job’s a job.” Yami echoed, tempting.

“I thought we left on good terms. Despite your sudden disappearance.” Cin said. His anger over Yami leaving without word creeping into his voice.

“We did.” Yami agreed.

“Then why do you wanna kick my ass?” Cin questioned.

Yami shrugged. “For old times sake I guess.”

Cin smirked crookedly and shook his head. Same old Yami, he thought. “I’ll have you know that I’ve gotten better. Stronger.”

Yami mirrored the crooked smile. “So have I.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Cin chuckled.

Yami finally, fully relaxed. His sense of Cin’s Ki told him the man meant what he said. His long ago friend had no interest in trying to collect his pay by finishing the job.

“So, what are you going to do?” Yami asked. “You may not know who hired you, but I’m near positive. Nathyn Silva isn’t someone you want to cross.”

Ignoring the difficult question, Cin looked Yami over. Despite all the past hurt and anger, it really was good to see him again. “You should be asking yourself the same. If it really is that royal bastard calling for your head, you’re in trouble, Yami. Folk like that don’t like to be thwarted and have all the money in the world to hire more gangs.”

“I know. This is his second attempt that I’m aware of.” Yami told.

Cin blinked at that. “What the hell did you do?”

Yami smirked and shook his head. “You’d call me a fool if I told you.”

“I’ll call you a fool anyway.” Cin remarked. The two stared at each other a moment before Cin offered. “Come with us. With me. Leave this war and the Magic Knights.”

“And run under you?” Yami asked.

Cin shrugged. “Could be worse. You could die out there fighting a soon forgotten war for a prideful, child-like King who will never be grateful and doesn’t even know your name. Or get caught unawares by the next hired gang sent to kill you.”

Or get pulled into a crazy zealots sick ceremony, Yami thought. “Tempting. But I can’t.”

“That doesn’t sound like you. The Yami Sukehiro I knew did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. If he wanted to leave this mess and join me, he would do so without a backwards glance.”

“I would have at that.” Yami agreed. “But there’s things you don’t know and would never understand. Things I barely understand.”

“It’s that girl. Isn’t it?” Cin guessed.

“Mostly.” Yami admitted.

“Then we’ll go get her.”

“Now that does sound tempting.” Yami said. He wondered if Teris could sense him while he was in this dimensional sphere. If she couldn’t, he had little doubt that she was going as crazy as he had during the Battle at the Border. He had to get out of here so she could sense his mana and know he was alright. He gestured to the surrounding space. “Can we--”

Understanding, Cin commanded. “Oliva.”

They were returned to normal space. Yami looked about. They were on some barren hilltop overlooking the battlefield that was more than ten kilometers away. Yami hoped that it was enough. That Teris would sense him and be alright.

“You won’t come. Will you?” Cin said, watching him.

Yami shook his head. Though it really was a tempting offer, he didn’t feel the least bit torn by saying no. For the first time since waking up in this strange land, he had a life here in the Clover Kingdom. And it consisted of more than just Teris. It didn’t matter that Teris would never go for the life Cin was offering. Yami didn’t want it either. He was, dare he say, happy with the life he had made as a Black Bull in the Magic Knights. And he would be even happier once Bronn was gone, and he and Teris were made co-Vice Captains.

Cin sighed. “I knew you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t be out there fighting if you didn’t want to be there.”

“Oh, I rather be almost anywhere than on that battlefield.” Yami said.

“I meant as a Magic Knight. In this life you’ve made yourself.”

Yami thought of Teris, Julius, and the Black Bulls. “You’re right there.”

Cin shook his head and sighed. “I suppose I’ll just have to let you pay the royal bastard back. And also pay me and mine the second half we’re due.”

Yami had been afraid of that. Still, he understood. “Gotta keep them loyal.”

Cin nodded.

“Do me a favor.”

Cin huffed. “You mean other then let you buy your life and live?”

“Oh, you’re letting me live now?”

“Shut up! What do you want?”

Yami grinned, imagining the scene and sight of Lord Silva’s face. “Let me return the funds.”

“You?” Cin questioned. “You’re not even positive it’s him.”

“It’s him.” Yami said. The only way he could be more certain was if the Silva came forward and confessed.

Cin shook his head. “Guess you haven’t changed as much as I was beginning to think. Fine. You agree to pay us the second half we would’ve received for the job. And I’ll let you pay the Silva back the first half. But if you’re wrong you’re paying whoever did hire us his portion back too.”

That sounded reasonable. Yami held out his hand.

“Crazy bastard.” Cin muttered, shaking on the deal.

“So how much do I owe you?” Yami asked.

Cin shook his head. “Now he asks.” He muttered. To Yami, he answered. “Ten thousand yules.”

“Ten thousand!” Yami repeated. He didn’t know whether to be insulted, or upset that this would take all of his savings.

“Twenty thousand yules for your life. Not a bad payday if it wasn’t you and so much work.” Cin told.

“Maybe the next gang will demand more.” Yami complained.

“You really think you’re worth that much?” Cin questioned, humorously.

“I would've kill you and yours easy.” Yami told.

“Really? And I suppose that’s what happened to the group before.” Cin joked.

Yami nodded. “Exactly.”

“What?” Cin questioned, in disbelief.

“Dead. All of them.” Yami told, not saying that there had been other Magic Knights backing him up.

Cin blinked. “All of them you say?”

“All twenty.” Yami affirmed.

Cin gave a low whistle. “I’ll spread word of that. Maybe it’ll make other groups think twice before accepting the job if Silva or anyone else thinks to try again.”

“Don’t. They might demand more pay. But they’ll still come. Only they’ll have a better idea what their walking into. With all that’s going on right now, I’d rather not have to try all that hard fending off gangs of assassins.”

“You mean there’s worse than people being hired to kill you?” Cin asked, not all that surprised.

“It’s a long story that you don’t care about hearing and I’d rather not get into.” Yami said.

“Fine.” Cin held out his hand.

Yami clasped his friends hand, firmly.

“Just get that money back to our hire as quick as you can. Me and mine can wait a bit for our second half. Let you finish up here before bugging you.” Cin grinned at him. “It’ll give us a chance to see each other again. Maybe have a drink or two and talk about old times.”

“And if I’m wrong?” Yami asked, not showing how much the thought of meeting Cin again disturbed him. At least once his old friend got the second half of his pay, they would hopefully have no cause to ever see each other again.

Cin raised an eyebrow. “Thought you said you were positive.”

“Just in case. How do I get a hold of you to find and pay the correct person back?”

Cin eyed Yami’s Magic Knights cloak. “We’ll just get a hold of you all the sooner.”

“That’s comforting.” Yami muttered.

“Don’t worry. Once we’re done, I won’t be paying you an friendly visits.”

“Those aren’t the type of visit I’m worried about.” Yami said, even though he wanted nothing more to do with his old friend.

Cin chuckled. “Then don’t be wrong. And don’t go pissing anyone else off.”

Yami huffed. “No promises there. Seems all I gotta do is breathe for that to happen.”

“You’re the one who wants to stick around.” Cin looked at his friend, smiling fondly at the memories seeing Yami brought. “Hope she’s worth it.”

Yami fought a smile at the thought of Teris. “She is. She’s worth it all, and more.”

69.5

Beast entered the cell block where the Magic Knights had been held.

“Want us to pursue them?” Pip asked, by his side.

Beast took in at the mangled cell and corpse, piecing together what had happened. “No. They’ve done what was ordered.”

Pip looked up at the towering man. “Boss?”

“Word came quickly from Death. We’ll get paid later.”

“But if he wants them...”

“He wanted them released and unharmed.” Beast said. He looked down at the dead man in disgust, hoping the girl got away undamaged. He didn’t know what the Master of Chaos wanted with the Magic Knights; but he didn’t want to experience the mans wrath if they had been injured. Turning away Beast ordered. “Have this mess cleaned up. Take that filth out to the pens for the Saber Cats. They haven’t had a decent meal in a while.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

“Oh, and put the word out. We’ll be hosting a gaming battle tomorrow.”

“Boss?”

Beast turned back. “The two Agents of Chaos. I was instructed to make their demise as drawn out and painful as possible. It never goes well when you’ve displeased Death.”

69.6

Once they were free of the compound, Nozel had created an eagle of mercury large enough to carry them all. He flew at top speed, unconcerned about lasting the day or keeping up his energy for the next. All he cared about was getting Teris and his team as far away as quickly as possible. Even so, he had flown in the direction of the Diamond Kingdoms capital. Despite all that had happened, they still had a mission. Nozel had flown until he didn’t think his could take it anymore, and then flew some more.

“Captain. Can we stop by that stream and let her get cleaned up?” Randall asked, from behind him.

Nozel looked back at his squad for the first time since they had taken flight. His eyes lowered to Teris. She was covered in dried blood. Though apparently none of it was hers.

Nozel swallowed, struggling to control his emotions. He noted that though Fuegoleon didn’t hold her, the Crimson Lion hovered protectively over her.

With a nod, Nozel directed the shining silver eagle toward a more sheltered area of the stream. They had left the dry, rocky landscape behind for a more green, though far from lush, area. This growth may have afforded them a bit more cover; but it was still bare enough that he felt safe from possible lurking enemies.

The sun was already dipping below the horizon when Nozel had the eagle land. He looked over his squad and declared. “We’ll camp here for the night. Zara, set your traps. Make them capable of catching small mammals. We lost our rations along with our packs.” He gave Teris a small, tentative smile. “Looks like you’ll get to cook after all if you want.”

When Teris didn’t even register hearing him, Nozel’s forced smile fell. She had had a scare. They all had. Seeing her attacked like that… Nozel had never felt so helpless and furious. He would have killed himself trying to get to her. It had taken everything he had to pull himself back and think clearly when his instinct had been to rage and go mad, frothing uselessly from his cell.

Fuegoleon gripped his Captain’s shoulder, trying to comfort him. He hoped Nozel didn’t take Teris’ silence personally. Teris hadn’t spoken since they had taken to the air. At least she had slept a good portion of the flight. Though she had woken up with a start, calling Yami’s name. There had been a moment after her waking where it appeared as if her fright would bubble over; but she had quickly calmed, taking in a shuddering breath as if relieved.

“Randall.” Nozel called, taking a step rather than shake Fuegoleon’s hand off his shoulder. He didn’t want to be comforted. He didn’t deserve it. He had failed his team.

Randall straightened. “Captain?”

Nozel hated the mans use of the title. He hadn’t earned it in the first place. And with all that had happened, he had proved just how unworthy he currently was of holding the rank, even as an acting one.

“Gather some wood and build a pit to roast whatever’s caught. Then see if you can find a stone sharp enough to skin and cut.” Nozel looked back at Teris, wondering if she still had whatever blade she had taken off the man. But he didn’t want to bring it up by asking her.

Nozel watched Zara and Randall moved away to do as they were ordered. Turning back, he looked at Teris, once again fighting a swell of raging emotions.

“Teris.” Nozel said, gently. When she still appeared dazed and distant, he turned to Fuegoleon. “Why don’t you two get washed up. I’ll keep watch.”

Fuegoleon nodded.

The two men looked at Teris, waiting for her to move or show any signed she had heard. When she just stood there Fuegoleon looked back at Nozel, the two sharing a look of concern.

“Stop it!” Teris snapped, suddenly coming to life. “Quit looking at each other worrying about me. I’m fine.” She spun around and marched to the stream.

“She’s not fine.” Fuegoleon told his Captain, softly.

“At least she’s talking again.” Nozel said, relieved at that.

He had never witnessed it, but Nozel had heard that occasionally people who went through traumatic events had left them changed. Sometimes all but dead to the world. Without any type of healer, they would have had a real problem if Teris had suffered something like that. As important as their mission was, Nozel didn’t think he would have been able to go on if Teris had stayed lost in herself. The thought of returning to face his father’s and the Kings displeasure sent a shiver down his spine. But none of that bore thinking. Teris would be fine. She was strong. Teris had already been through and survived so much. He was certain that she would survive this too.

Nozel watched Teris make her way to the stream, Fuegoleon in her wake. Sure she would likely have some underlying issues for a while. He would too. But a selfish part of him hoped that this would bring them closer together. Not that he would take advantage of anything the horrible scare may bring about. But if some good could come from it, at least there would be that. Not that any good, no matter how great, that came from this would make it worth Teris experiencing the scare she had.

Teris dipped trembling hands into stream. Collecting a fistful of course dirt, she scrubbed away the blood. At first the motions were slow and gentle but then they sped, growing rough.

Tears began to fall. She brought up her hands, covering her face.

Fuegoleon watched her from a short distance. He usually knew what to do to best comfort people. It was a gift he had. But in this instance, when his cousin needed him most, he was at a loss. He didn’t know what to do. Likely because she didn’t know what she wanted. He decided to go with his own need and hoped it helped without driving her further away.

Moving to her, Fuegoleon knelt on the hard, rocky bank. Ignoring the muddy damp that instantly wet his pants, he pulled her into a hug. Teris cried into her cousins chest. Stroking her hair, Fuegoleon wondered distantly if that was her trembling or him. Never in his life had he felt so helpless. Never in his life had he wanted someone dead so badly that he would have bashed their skull in if given half a chance.

The thought frightened him. The desire to commit such violence. Even now Fuegoleon wanted to kill the man over and over again, his mind playing over the ways in which he would do so.

Fuegoleon sniffed back his own tears; his fear, anger, and gratitude that the worst of what could have happened hadn’t. Overwhelmed, he burrowed his face in her head and let the tears fall.

After a time, Teris ceased crying. “Leon? Are you wiping your tears on my hair?”

Fuegoleon lifted his head, stroking her moistened locks. “It’s good for hair.”

Teris laughed at that. “So that’s how your hair is always prettier than mine. You cry into it.”

“I usually use the tears of my enemies.” Fuegoleon played, amazed at how resilient she was.

Looking up at him, Teris soothed. “It’s alright.”

“That’s my line. No taking my lines.” Fuegoleon chastised, lightly.

Teris pulled from him, her small smile falling as she grew serious. “Scary as that was, I’ve faced worst fears.”

“You shouldn’t have to.” Fuegoleon told. He tucked a lock of her hair behind an ear, wondering how her saying such a thing was suppose to make him feel better.

“It’s just--” Teris swallowed. Try as she might to push the memory away, she could still feel the slick warmth of the man’s blood. Could still smell the metallic scent that had invaded her nostrils. “I’ve never killed anyone. Not like that. Not so close and physical. Not with my own hands.” She blinked back tears, hating the sign of weakness.

Though Fuegoleon knew better, he said. “I’m pretty sure it was Nozel that killed him. Broke his neck.” He hoped lie was believable. He doubted Nozel would like taking credit that wasn’t his. But given the reasoning, he was sure the acting Captain would allow it.

Teris looked up at him. “Really?”

She should be ashamed at how much better that made her feel. It didn’t matter who had killed the man. Even a no good, sick, fiendish person like that didn’t deserve to die without trial. A life was a life. And as a Magic Knight it was her job to protect and uphold the Clover Kingdoms law; not meet out judgment. At least that’s the way it was suppose to be. Sadly they didn’t live in a perfect world where things were the way they were suppose to be.

In her short time as a Magic Knight, she had seen so much death. Delivered so much of it herself. Teris had known that being a Magic Knight was a dangerous job and there would be death. But she had never imagined it to be at this scale. She tried to think of how much more Julius had seen during his many years of service. How much more she would see over the years, and stopped. Unwilling and unable to imagine.

“Really.” Fuegoleon told her.

“Am I horrible for being relieved at that?” Teris asked.

“No. Not in the least.” Fuegoleon assured.

Teris shook her head, lowering her gaze. “Poor Nozel.”

Fuegoleon looked at her, amazed. Even after all Teris had been through, she was thinking of and sympathizing with others.

“I’m pretty sure he’s not all that upset about it.” Fuegoleon remarked, thinking Nozel wouldn’t have been if this fiction had been reality. “I think he’s more upset about us getting captured in the first place.”

Teris lifted her head. “This wasn’t his fault. None of us realized what we were walking into. Or that we were being followed.” She stopped and thought about the other two.

Not only had they not been in the cell block with them; but they hadn’t been in any of the other cell blocks they had passed. A part of her felt silly for wondering if they were Agents of Chaos. What would they be doing all the way out here just following?

“Try telling him that.” Fuegoleon said. “If I were leading this team I’d be feeling the same. And so would you.”

“I suppose.” Teris said, wondering what they could do to make Nozel feel better about his role as Captain.

“Come on. We can’t take forever.” Fuegoleon took his cloak off. “You should wash your clothes as best you can.” He untied the sash around his waist and removed the blue over coat, holding them out to her. “You can wear this while you wash and dry yours.”

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently left comments or re-blogged. They really mean a lot.

Next chapter snippet:

Alowishus glared. He could end King Morris’ life here and now but that would only cause further war and problems as the Diamond Kingdom would be thrown into chaos. Funny how all his life he had been trying to wake Chaos so he could bring about death and destruction and yet here he was trying to prevent such things from happening.

#yami sukehiro #nozel silva #fuegoleon vermillion #zara ideale #randall luftair #Black Clover #light in the darkness

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