Act III - A Storm Approaches
#3 of Crystalis
A/N: Yay for moving cross country! Not... XD Sorry for the lateness, this time it was because I was getting settled in California instead of Connecticut. But at least I'm with my fiancee~ Wewt for happiness now. Anyways, I've got a job at the moment, so I don't know how fast I can produce my chapters, but hopefully still quickly. Hope the wait is superceeded by the greatness of plot! Don't worry, sex will happen soon ^_~.
How sweet the taste of a twilight's breeze is, wouldn't you say? Something within the myriad of colors that paint themselves against the ever changing landscape seems to just bring a quiet solace to my soul. Perhaps you could call it a simple wish to be in a tranquility I will never know. Sometimes, that's what I think about at night - an escape from a fate I don't want.
Now then, I should continue my tale for you. I fear you may get bored with me if I just ramble on about my own psyche. I do remember where I left off this time; there's no worry about skipping ahead...
The tears that had begun to sweep forward were swiftly pushed back into the depths they came from. Though those shaking eyes yearned for the crimson wolf to come back, they knew that other problems were right around the corner. "Trevor! Are you alright?!"
Silence greeted his father, as the wolf gripped the crystal within his paw with such anger, he could feel it boil away his blood. This was his only link - his only connection to the wolf that had swept him off his feet within a one night stand, and he knew this was going to be the only way he could get back to him. The sound of footsteps echoed through the empty house, as Kit had found his way through his mansion to look for his son. As he closed in upon the room where Trevor was, he heard glass shattering, startling him even further to push himself through that doorway. What lay behind it, was only quiet trepidation and an echoed past. Wind took the curtains for a ride upon its waves, through the broken window; blood drawn within a small symbol.
"Goodbye."
A twitching eye was the only outlet for Kit's anger as he rushed towards the window to peer out and see nothing. Though it wasn't that high, he would have sworn that someone jumping from such a height would at least gotten hurt. The word written upon the wall pushed itself to the forefront of his mind. "Goodbye..." Fear swallowed him whole as he made his way back out of his luscious home, attempting to find any sign of where his son would have gone. Blood was the only trace, however, of what once was there. Tumult had taken over the Trinity residence, and it was going to be a long night if the president couldn't find his son. "TREVOR!"
Panting for breath, the wolf kept his gaze to the ground. Tears flew off his cheeks as he rushed around corners - himself not knowing where he would go. All he cared about was that he needed to find his crimson wolf, find him and stay close. Streets seemed to pass by quickly as he wound through the labyrinth he called home for all his life. Memories came and went of the times he wished for adventure, for release from this world he had come to known as the only thing that existed. Even the dreams of the night with his wolf seemed to shatter all those bindings he had around him. Tonight he would find himself in this world - and it would not be the son of the president of Trinity Company - it would be Trevorian.
Trevorian Kaliana. Trinity was just the name that was added on. He would sever it forever.
A black rose was held to a nose; its perfect smell spiraling around the lone fox. His amber eyes opened, peering through the glasses that hugged the nose. "My my... what a beautiful world this is." A smile crossed his lips as he pocketed the rose, his paws reaching for a small case by his belt. Taking out a deck of cards, he began to shuffle. "I wonder what might be in store for it." He sat beneath a tree, staring at all the passing furres, paws constantly shuffling the deck within them. Each face seemed to paint a picture for him. Faulty lives, broken loves, destroyed hopes. Things were so black to his eyes, their souls crying for a salvation they would never know of, at least until he existed. He would give them the peace that they wanted.
Humming to himself, the fox began to draw up a few cards. Those digits graced each card as another saddened face passed by, before it fell upon his own card to a running wolf. "The Hanged Man?" The fox gave a snort. "Seems like there is going to be some fun soon." The cards went back to the deck, and he collected his things. "I do believe a storm is coming to town. A real nasty one at that."
His glasses slid down his nose, letting the world around him become a blurred reality. "Time to say hello..." A change in the winds was the only signal that the fox was even there, as he left nothing else but a memory for the world to even believe he was there.
The streets seemed livelier to the group, as the duo lovers peered around nervously. "What's going on, Naruto?" The confused digimon asked his human counterpart. "Why does it seem like there's going to be a war?"
Shrugging to his companion, the blond glanced over to the others, "Do you have any clue, Bridgett?"
She shook her head, frowning. For a while, they had tried to get in contact with Xavius, but it yielded nothing but silence. Apparently something on the wolf's end was more important than their discovery of Liger. The hybrid huffed to herself as she ran with the trio, wondering if perhaps their contact was no longer alive -- but she kept those thoughts to herself. Questioning the feline was something she wasn't going to do.
Arms of all kinds flew past them in blurs, sending chills down each and every one of their spines. What happened? Did something go wrong on the surface that would spook these people into an all out war? Perhaps something happened to Xavius in the scuffle that was happening on the upper levels. They suppressed their trepidations as they rounded each corner with ease, heading for the heart of the town. If they could get to the elevators, they could get up and see what was happening ground wise. Blue eyes seemed to water up as they crossed the black eyes of their partner - an aura of anxiety crossing their paths. If they were caught, if people knew exactly what they could do - they would be drawn into something they wanted no part of.
The crimson wolf pressed himself up against a wall as he caught his breath. Racing through his head were all the mistakes he had made since being here. To him, the biggest one was meeting Trevor and entering his house. If they had found a better place, they would have been so much safer. Yet, he couldn't change that past, even as it rushed by him. All around him, Xavius could hear the various chaotic scrambling of the Trinity Company's guards - apparently they were on the look out for him. Grumbling to himself, he pushed away from the wall and rushed down towards another street. Sooner or later, he knew, he going to run out of options. The wolf had to find his companions soon if he wanted to escape from this place alive.
Eyes darting back and forth on the constant look out for guards who would potentially cause him trouble, Xavius wound himself towards the central square. It was a small chance, but if he could get into the elevators, he might be able to get to the slums and get out. However, as he closed in on his target, he saw more and more guards stationing themselves around the main exit. Now he was stuck with finding an alternate route, one that would get him far, far away from these people.
Something in the air changed as the wolf thought of different scenarios. An aura of immense pain echoed forth from one set of roads, urging him to come forward. Xavius, not knowing of anything else that could help him, chased after the pain. As he made his way further and further away from the central elevators, he began to notice the buildings ripple with energy - something was definitely down here that gave him great cause to rush even more forward. Flares of guilt and remorse screamed from each brick as they flew by him - it seemed that the memories of the town cried out to make him stop.
It gave way to what seemed to be a meadow at the edge of town - a lone fox standing in wait. "I've been waiting, my child." His words, they seemed cold and distant, but also warm and soothing. "I've been wanting to blade dance with you." Within his paws were cards being shuffled back and forth. "And call forth your very soul." Xavius stared deeply at the man, his paws outstretched and ready within a spell while he listened. "Come forth, my child, let us sing a song of destruction!"
Squinting his eyes at Yuki, the crimson wolf snarled slightly. "Who are you?" His words tried to reach forth towards the fox, but it seemed as though the fox was in his own world. "Speak! Tell me your name!"
"Give unto us, an absolution of time. Empty prophets enter this world, carrying false truths. Let us be free, my child. Let us take to the winds, and let our wings unfold!" A card was drawn, and pointed out at Xavius. "Fly to the four winds, and take root! Our lives will finally be set from the selfish tortures of the current way." A five of swords glimmered in the fox's paw, before five true swords shot out towards the Crystalis. "Sing for your redemption, my child! Sing to live anew!"
As the blades flew in the air towards him, Xavius traced a seal quickly, before calling up his shield. "Don't attack me!" His words wanted to touch the fox, but it was like he was destined to fight - a fight he didn't need. "Lay down your spells!"
A chuckle came from Yuki, "I am your new hope! I am your new destiny. I will call forth your hell and release it upon this world!" Four more cards were pulled, an Ace of Swords, The Tower, The Magician, and The Hanged Man. They hovered around Yuki as he stared the wolf down. "I will show you what you truly want, my child!" Chains and swords launched themselves at Xavius, while the earth began to move. Calling upon his own chain whip, the Crystalis of Magic let himself get struck, only to launch it towards the ground. However, the movement of the ground disturbed him enough to let the chain coil around his neck. "I will bring you your destiny, and let you feel the power of it." The final card, The Magician, moved towards the wolf, growing larger and larger as it did. "Stare deeply, and see!"
The chain around his neck forced him to face the card as it engulfed his vision. Any attempt to move his body only resulted in the ground moving to go against the adjustment. His eyes tried not to focus on the swirling vortex that the card had turned into, but it was becoming harder and harder to do so, until he was finally drawn within the darkness. All around him, the wolf could see fires - the sky was darkened not only with smoke, but also with storm clouds.
Yet as the rain broke, it was not rain, but blood. It drenched the bodies that lain across the fields and buildings that were devastated by some sort of catastrophe. Chanting echoed in the pouring blood, his eyes drawn to shadowy wings. Shakingly, he began to notice the body those wings were attached to - and the fiery eyes that were staring back at him. "Can you taste the blood, brother?" Fangs grinned across a crimson face. "Can you feel the warmth of hell tickling across your body? Doesn't it feel....ah... refreshing?" A snake-like tongue came out to caress those lips, before a claw came to trace Xavius' cheek. "Mmm..." Lips were pressed against each other, as that hand moved down the wolf's body, to slide across his groin. Fangs pricked his lips, while his body became ravaged with hands. Enjoy it... Taste it... Feel the beautiful agony of the world... my fellow demon!
Growling at the figure that was pressed so lewdly against him, the wolf tried to break away from the kiss. His body enjoyed the feeling of another against it that way, but his mind knew it was such a sin to feel pleasure in this moment. The tongue coiled around his lips, before breaking in between them, tasting the bitter sweet victory it got. Let the pleasure of the pain course through your veins, my lovely demon. The words seemed to sting him even more than the actions - his body understanding the truth behind it. Within moments, a hand slipped into his pants the start stroking the sheath that had been stirring from the ministrations against him. A breaking of the kiss let those fiery eyes stare him down as that hand caressed the cock that was slipping free. "My my, it seems you are wanting this more than you are letting on."
Again, Xavius growled at the demon, his body fighting more and more, before a bite came to his neck, causing him to gasp out. His world shivered, then faded while he entered the daze truly. The fires that were crackling against the drips of blood from the sky seemed to dull out, as his vision focused upon the true scene before him. Again, he was back in the meadow in Faynor, and again, he was looking at the fox. Yet the fox had come towards him and had wrapped his arms around his neck. "That is your destiny, my child... A perfect chaos." Licking his ear, Yuki drew back, before pulling out another card, The Moon. "Tch. Seems like the storm has begun!" Snapping his fingers, the card flashed, letting the chains that surrounded Xavius disappear, as well as the fox. However, the card stayed hovered, glowing with a demonic presence. "I'll see you again, my child. Go forth, and speak to the world about the new prophet. I will change this world!"
An explosion resounded from the card, flying out towards the trees. Fire erupted from them, and quickly began to jump towards the buildings, while Xavius fell to his knees, attempting to catch his breath. Coughing slightly, he stared at the ground, not even caring of the destruction that was starting to happen. That is, until another explosion rocked him - the trees had been hiding a piece of machinery, something that seemed important, and now it was engulfed in its own set of flames. The sky above him rumbled, before it clouded over with dark clouds. Thunder clapped across the entirety of Faynor, as snow began to drift down upon the streets, blanketing the fires that shot from the meadow.
His mind was lost, eyes staring at the burning machine, and the snow that fell in front of him. "...my destiny...?"
The elevators were 'broken' when they had gotten to them, but the group had decided they didn't care. Prying one of the doors open, they jumped in and began their ascent towards the Upper City. "My god..." Bridgett stared out in awe as the rushing of people had turned into a white wonderland. Snow was falling all around in the Upper City. As they exited the elevator, the feline raised her hand up to catch some of the snowflakes. "What...what is happening?" Her eyes couldn't believe what they were staring at. "The...the weather here is never like this."
Scoffing, Liger rolled her eyes. "That's what the commotion is about then... Someone sabotaged the Weather Machine, Trinity Company's greatest achievement. I'm guessing they are thinking it's a terrorist attack, and that a gang war is opening up." She pressed the trio with her into an alleyway as people ran towards buildings. "We can't be seen, remember." Naruto blinked a few times, mouth agape. Yes, he had seen snow and experienced it, yet... this snow... This snow seemed wrong. Something about it cried for salvation in its falling.
Veemon nuzzled into his partner's leg, as they all stood, staring out at the white landscape. "Well... are we going to find Xavius?" His words seemed to break the group's daze. "Why... don't we try the crystal one last time?"
Bridgett went into her pocket and took out the crystal, peering at it one more time. "Xavius... Xavius... can you hear us?"
"...vius... Xavius... Can you hear us?" Words came from nowhere, startling the wolf. His eyes quickly darted around, attempting to figure out where they were coming from. "Xavius!? We need you!"
Giving a few blinks, the Crystalis finally recognized the voice, and spoke back. "Bridgett... Where... where are you?" Gathering together his mind, the wolf repressed the thoughts of his vision. "Did you find out anything?"
Squealing echoed within his head as Bridgett finally connected back with her counterpart. "YES! We have someone who knows something... Where are you?"
"I'm... I'm by a meadow in the southern part of town. Where are you?"
"By the elevators... Want us to come to--"
"No! I'll come to you, wait there."
From that, Xavius cut off communications with the group. He didn't want them to have any inkling of what had happened. If at all, he would forget it soon and never have to deal with that fox again. Finally getting himself to his feet, Xavius turned face and ran towards the elevators, wanting to get the hell out of this place before anything worse had happened. There were already too many mistakes, Trevor being the biggest one. Perhaps, perhaps when they left this place, it wouldn't haunt them.
It wouldn't cloud their world.
How wrong I was then. You see... That man, the one that had... tempted me and bested me? He enjoyed to toy with me. Somehow... he got into my mind and haunted my waking moments. How? You'll find out... Now then... Let me skip a little ahead, as it is getting to a dull part. Now then... Hmm... Where to continue... How about...here...
Breathing haggardly, Xavius peered from the roof of a building, staring at the guards that had now begun to congregate around the elevators. "So...it wasn't the Weather Machine that started the people running around?" Liger was intrigued that her deduction was wrong.
"Aye... It was... me... This... This vulpine came out of nowhere and attacked me and Trevor at his place." His eyes scanned around, attempting to find any way to get back to the Lower City. "And he got injured...But there was a dead body... I had to kill a man." His thoughts were haphazard in appearance, as his mind was still wrapping around the whole situation. The snow that was still falling on them didn't help any, as it just made him think it was all a dream. A nightmarish dream. "They're trying to find me..."
"Wow..." Naruto and Veemon both mouthed at the same time. They couldn't believe a lot happened when they were searching in the Lower City.
"Did you guys see any other entrances and exits to the underground while you were down there?" A crisp voice called out from the wolf. "Because we can't get down on those elevators."
They all shook their head. "Nope, couldn't get up here without having to jerry-rig one of the elevators." Liger felt proud at being the one who had done that for them. "Perhaps we can distract the guards..?"
"No... Not with how many there are."
"Can't you use your little dimensional portal thingy, Xavy?" Bridgett's eyes shimmered with that idea. "I mean.. isn't it how you got to wherever you grabbed Naruto and Veemon from?"
He glared over at her. "That is a draining spell, and the amount of strength I would have to put into it to get all of us out of here is too much, not to mention the fact that I could potentially put us into the earth or a tree or something like that. That large of magic is very dangerous and shaky to use, even for me."
She frowned and tightened the grip on the crystal she was given, her body clamming up. "I"m sorry.. I didn't know."
A headache sparked for Xavius, causing him to double over slightly. "Nnngrrr." Pain flashed across his body for just a split second, before something bore itself into his mind.
"XAVIUS!" The voice that pierced his soul seemed to be coming from a few buildings away from him. "XAVIUS!? Are you there?" Gasping for breath, the wolf straightened himself out and focused on the area around him. Somehow, someone was breaking through his defenses and speaking directly to him.
"Name yourself before you find yourself dead..." Not so much a blank threat, but a misguided one.
"Don't... don't you remember me, Xavius? It's Trevor."
The wolf's eyes shot open. "Trevor?"
The group stared at the wolf, wondering why he would be muttering something. "I can help you...I can get you out of here."
"How?"
"You have to bring me with you!"
"No, I won't."
"You can't get out without me, so why say no?"
Xavius debated that for a little while, before he sighed to himself. THe voices of his group drowned out as he focused on the wolf talking to him. "I don't want to take you, Trevor. I know you want to escape, but... you'll endanger us all."
"Not when I know my share of magic." Pain flared against Xavius again. "Like the type that I'm using to talk to you." It was like a smile came across in that voice. "So please take me with you!"
Again, another sigh echoed from the wolf's lips before he resigned himself. "Fine.. But I'm not saving your ass if you fall into a hole of death or something along those lines."
"YES! Ok... Meet me... where we had our first date." And with that, the voice disappeared, letting the questioning glances come from everyone and the voices stream back.
"Xavius? Xavius... are you okay?"
"Trevor? Where is he?"
"What's wrong Xavy?"
"Hello?"
Growling at them, he shushed them all. "Come on, we need to get to the market place. And don't ask questions." Moving swiftly to the edge of the roof, Xavius peered down at the snowy ground. Truly, it seemed the storm was upon them all. There would be darkness echoing forth.
Now then, that's when we met up with our sixth companion in the white marketplace. The dragonkins that had been our first step towards something had become our last step of leaving the ugly place called Faynor. Doesn't that intrigue you? The fact that where it all began is where it all ends for that part of my story? Yes, yes.. There is a lot more, but that is the end of our Faynor Saga, or as I like to call it, The Puppetmaster Saga. You'll understand soon enough why it's call that, Auron... So how about we find a place to rest for the night out here, and I'll make sure to give you another night to remember.