Act IV - Blackened Skies
#4 of Crystalis
"It's only the fairy tale they believe..." Xavius whispered as he caressed the dragon hybrid's cheek. His eyes scanned the horizon as he thought more of his tale. To him, it was like yesterday that the things upon Zylera had happened, but in reality...
The morning had come upon them both without much warning, even as they called the glade home for the night. With wind blowing silently across the field, they had a great view of the mountains in the distance. "Somewhere upon the horizon far west to us, is always something so great." He gave a chuckle, as a sweet sadness came over his body. Forever more, would the wolf be living in memories. "But perhaps you would like to hear more of my tale, am I right, Auron?"
Peering at him, the hybrid nodded. "Yeah. It seems interesting to say the least." He thought for a moment, tapping the sword by his side. "Did you guys meet up with Trevor? Or did you ditch him? And what happened to that vixen... Vidia?"
Xavius chuckled. "Listen, and you'll find out. Now then, time to go back to Zylera." With a wave of his hand, the crimson wolf showed off some more of his magic, giving the hybrid a show - letting him see what the wolf had seen so long ago...
<hr>
Rushing forward, the group wound itself around the mass of people that had begun to congregate everywhere in the Upper City of Faynor. Snarling to himself, Xavius cursed the fact that he had to rely upon the one person that had brought him this annoyance in the first place. "You better have a plan, Trevor." The snow hadn't really deterred the warriors that were rushing around from doing their job - giving the crimson wolf a hassle. His eyes scanned back and forth, attempting to find the cause of his worry. The bodies that flew by were nothing like he had remembered.
"Look up."
A voice spooked him slightly as he stopped the others from continuing on. "Trevor..." Whispering the word to himself, Xavius motioned for the group to head towards the alleyway closest to them. "We'll wait for him to come to us now."
"But... I thought we were going to go to him?" Naruto's squeaky voice pondered the wolf's reaction, before Xavius smirked at him.
"Let's just say that I don't like to just sit in one place." Turning around, the group spotted the other wolf, clutching the cloak tightly around him. The whiteness of the snow behind him seemed to just portray such an indifference in his countenance. "So would you guys like to escape to the real world again?"
Liger was the first to speak up. "Yes! I've been fed up with this shit hole since three days ago." She rolled her eyes and fidgeted with her guns. "So, tough guy, have the key to escape?"
"Even better. I know of a route the guards have forgotten about. And it will take you a few miles out of town before it becomes unmanageable." A cocky grin seemed to portray the fact he was their savior. <i>Finally I can escape...</i> Those eyes that he tried to hide, came through only to Xavius.
The crimson wolf knew that there was something different now, and he couldn't put his finger on it. There had to be a reason as to how the wolf could have gotten to them so soon, and with what they had needed. Yet, he wouldn't let himself ponder the question - there was too much at risk at the current moment, and they had to get out of this town. "So, hot shot... Where is this route?"
Another cocky grin flew across the silver wolf's maw, while his footpaw tapped the ground. "Right beneath you all." They all stared down, tracing the cobblestone pattern to see exactly what he was talking about. "We're going to the sewers."
Bridgett blinked a couple of times, before tilting her head. "But isn't it smelly down there?" Her nose crinkled while she thought of the sewers beneath them. She didn't want to think of the nastiness that would await them.
"So unless you all think Electro-Chains are the newest fad, let's go." His smug smile stayed upon his muzzle as he watched them shuffle uncomfortably. "Who wants to move the cover?"
"Why don't you?" Naruto's gruff voice echoed through the silenced group, "It's your plan, right?"
Chuckling, the black wolf nodded, "M'kay, sure. Let's get it on!" And with that, he brushed them aside and went to work upon the metal grate.
'Something is different.' Again, Xavius felt that Trevor was not himself, but he wouldn't give that feeling a second thought.
<hr>
"And those sewers were truly nasty, but it was our only way out." The crimson wolf dragged his paw through the image before chuckling to himself. "So you see we did make it out of Faynor without much... danger."
Auron nodded slowly and blinked at the lupine. "I guess that's different." He really couldn't describe exactly what he was seeing. "..." Words escaped him.
"So is there anything that you want to know before I continue the story" His ears perked, awaiting anything from a whisper to a scream. "Because I'll answer your questions without a second thought."
The hybrid was silent as his eyes closed. "Hmm...." There was so much he was curious about, but it all could wait. That is, everything but, "You keep referring to yourself as a Crystalis, yet you haven't expanded on that."
Another gruff chuckle left Xavius' muzzle, "So you finally caught on?" The crimson wolf nodded to his own question and summoned a crystal into his right paw. "A Crystalis is a.... a representation of a type of power.. You see, each one refers to our origins and the type of energy that created the world.
"In total, there are five types of energy. One is the pure magic of the elements. It controls the mana of the world. I represent that power - and its curse." Clearing his throat, the crimson wolf stared deeply into the crystal. "The next is the power that converts everything - Alchemy. As you know, Bridgett controlled that aspect with its terrible luck. A third is the raw physical energy exhausted by every creature. The fourth is the celestial power of the world, with its heavenly bodies."
Somewhere in Xavius' eyes, there seemed to be a sad smile, one that caught Auron's attention. "What's wrong?" A bad memory"
"No, no. Just... Nevermind." Shaking away the stray thoughts, he continued. "And finally, there is the energy that governs all - the energy that thrives in every being. Life. Those are the five main energies of the world." He finished with a smile.
Another moment of silence echoed between them as Auron let it all sink in. "So what about Naruto and Veemon?? What were they"
"They control our hopes and dreams, the missing energy of the world of Zylera. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it's true. They are the light to our darkness - ones without sin."
It had sounded ludicrous even to Xavius, but he witnessed their power himself. In them, an enormous power awaited to awaken. "So, are you satisfied"
"Not entirely, but it's enough for now. Continue please."
"Alright. Now then. Back to my tale."
<hr>
"Because they think we kidnapped the 'prince' over there." A clawed digit pointed at the 'newest' member of the traveling troupe, Trevorian. "And it's only a matter of time before they catch up."
The group had gone through a couple of 'port' cities since they made it out of the Faynor sewers, taking a small break when they absolutely needed it. Their destination was the city among the waves, Razael.
"So we much make due with the resources we ha e."
"Which are nothing..." Trevorian piped in. "I'm sorry, but that town cleaned us out of money." A small blush came across his face as he awaited the screams that would be coming from the leader.
A twitch came from the crimson wolf's right eye, "What do you mean we have nothing?" Cringing at Xavius, Trevorian whimpered.He could only nod as he showcased the bag where the money once was. "I think all those times in the pubs hurt our pockets more than we thought." As soon as those words left his muzzle, Trevorian regretted them.
"What... did you just say?!" Anger seethed itself from between the wolf's lips. "Are you trying to say it was me who had caused us to be broke" The crimson set of eyes that normally seemed so distant, flashed emerald for just a few moments. "Perhaps..." He continued,, "You would like to eat those words??" His left spiral glowed black as its blade formed.
Bridgett, who had stayed quiet through the petty argument, couldn't stay silent anymore at the sight of Xavius' blade. "Hey! Hey! Xavy, we can just work to get the money back, so there's no need for violence!" Her paws came up reflexively as she tried to stand between the quarreling wolves.
Growling, Xavius glared at Bridgett, "This is no longer about money, it's aboutpride. Pure and simple. This little miscreant has stated lies against me."
"Wuffie, I never meant it that way, so please..."
"You should have thought about that before you opened your big mouth." Teeth were bared as the blade channeled the hatred more than those words, "It's high time the 'pretty princess' gets what he deserves!" And with that, the wolf thrusted the weaponed paw towards Trevorian, watching as it went through fur and flesh. The crimson that tainted his blade dripped to the ground, soiling it.
"Guhch..."
Horrified, the group watched as their leader had skewered one of their own. However, as the paws traced the wound and up the blade, the injured member teared up. "Xavy... Why... Why would you think of doing such a thing?" Blood leaked from a corner of her mouth as she struggled to smile even in the pain.
Without even thinking, the ocelot moved herself completely into the moving blade so Trevorian would be spared. It never occurred to her that she might regret the choice.
Fear and shock shown for a brief second within the shaking eyes of the wolf Crystalis, before h e masked it away. "You shouldn't have done that Bridgett." He shook his head, "It was not your place to intercede."
"I... had to... else Trevorian..."
"It was between us..."
"And you would... have regretted it, Xavy. I just sa--" She started to cough up some blood.
Before she could continue, Xavius pulled out his blade and flicked off the blood. "Whatever... We'll meet again."
Cryptic words they were, Bridgett seemed to understand. "I'm sorry..." She apologized before her eyes closed. Tears streamed down her face.
Soon enough, she went quiet and started to sparkle. Turning away from her, Xavius began to walk away. The ocelot's body turned into green sparks that floated towards the sky, taking the remains of the Crystalis of Alchemy.
Broken from his shock, Naruto howled at the parting wolf. "How... How can you just away? You... You just killed your companion... Don't you feel any... any remorse>" Anger flowed through his veins as tears stained his cheeks.
"She stepped where she shouldn't have." His face was turned away from them all, but they could almost see the cold expression upon his muzzle. "SO she suffered the consequences."
"You heartless bastard!!" It was the blond nin's only warning before he rushed towards the wolf.
However, he was stopped and hurtled to the ground by a chain that came from under his feet. "Listen brat, unless you want to end up like her, temper your anger!"
Crying in frustration, Naruto slammed his fist into the ground, "You... You! You shouldn't exist, you demon!"
Those words seemed to make the wolf recoil, but he hid it well. "Until you can come at me without those emotions clouding your judgment, steel yourself. Your motions are transparent while in this state." Glaring back at them, he huffed. "When you're done with the pity party, follow after - We still have to complete this quest."
Without another word, the chain disappeared, freeing Naruto, while the wolf Crystalis walked forward.
Liger stared, not accepting the fact that Bridgett was dead, that she was never going to come back. Her eyes shook as her mind seemed broken.
It all just seemed to happen too fast.
<hr>
His eyes stared at the ocean in the distance. His body was resting against the only source of shade he had found - a tree. The words that had come from Naruto's mouth echoed softly.
"You shouldn't exist, you demon!"
Xavius looked at his paws, maybe he was a demon. That would explain a lot about his personality, and even about how that fox had rattled him so. "Ahh my child. It is good to see that you are still alive and well." That voice, it couldn't be... "Are you... so startled to hear me, you don't want to look at me?" Twitching an eye, the wolf began to turn around to face the fox he knew all too well that stood behind him. "That's better, my child."
Again, Yuki was within his white clothes, looking more like a preacher than a sociopath. "Why are you following me?" Xavius growled lowly at the unwanted guest.
"Do you treat all your elders with that tone?" Such beauty seemed to transcend the thoughts of what was truly here. "Now now, my child, alas I was not following you. I am just going on my own pilgramage to my own fate." Light gleamed perfectly off those glasses. "So what about you, my child." A paw carressed the crimson cheek. "Why are you journeying with so many?"
A chill went down Xavius' spine as he felt the static within those digits touching his cheek. "I'm off to find..." His eyes seemed captivated by the ice blue eye staring him down. "I'm off to find... myself..."
"As I said my child. Your destiny and mine coincide! You will bring together the new time of being for all around! Embrace it my child, embrace your heritage. You are my demon!" Again that paw seemed to both comfort and scare the wolf Crystalis as he enjoyed another's company that didn't want him dead. "Heh.. seems like it's time for me to go - be well my child, for you are my key!"
With that, Yuki began to walk away, waving a paw in the air towards his 'child,' Xavius. Shaken visibly, the Crystalis was startled as another voice echoed across. "Wuffie...?" Those eyes traced towards where the voice was coming from, even as they knew its owner as well. "Wuffie... are... are you okay?"
Confusion mixed with a little amazement greeted the wolf as he noticed the 'prince' again with him. "Why are you here?" Not quite quick enough to stop the squeak in his voice, Xavius let his guard down too quickly. "Aren't you scared of me?"
"Scared...? Why would I be scared..."
His left blade came into existence again as he tried to show what he meant. "This... I'm... I'm a murderer.. A devil in mortal bindings. Aren't you afraid that next time, I'll kill you for real?"
Pulling back slightly, Trevorian whimpered. "To state I'm not scared of that would be a lie, but.. that doesn't mean a thing. I... I care for you Xavius. I want... I want to see the end of this grand adventure with you - to see the stars that are sparkling in your eyes." A small smile came across the black wolf's form. "That sparkle that you get when you seem to fight. Yes, it's scary to watch you fight, but I feel that you can protect everyone."
"But I killed Bridgett... That could have been you..."
"She saved me... She showed you that you couldn't destroy something just because... And I'm sure she's... She's happy wherever she is now." His eyes showed a hint of sadness, but that sadness turned quickly towards happiness. "And I'm sure you wouldn't do that again to one of us. You're too good for that... In my eyes, you are only a demon to those who go against you, not those to whom you have a relationship with!"
"A demon to those who go against me..." The words rolled around in his head, as silence settled between the two. "I've heard that before..."
"You really aren't evil, Wuffie... Remember that..."
"I will..." Under his breath, the wolf added 'try to.' "Go... Go and get the others. Tell them to come here, and we'll... set off again."
"Are you sure it's wise?"
A voice came from the tree above both of them, startling Trevorian but soothing Xavius. "He's sure, Trevorian."
<hr>
A grim smile came across the wolf's muzzle as he started to turn towards Auron again. "Yes... I did... murder Bridgett that day..."
Slightly horrified at the bluntness of his traveling companion, the dragon hybrid shook off the anger that came across. "Why... Why would you just... state it like that?"
"Because, no matter how much you sugar it up, it still remains the same. Bridgett died that day. She died by my paws alone - no one else's. Yet, that isn't the end of the story."
"It isn't?"
"No, because... there are many more hardships for us to come across, and many more times we find ourself within the darkness of our own hearts. But for now, it is enough, Auron. We should rest a bit -- I'll create a fire for us."
Blinking a bit, the hybrid sighed softly. "I... I guess. Be sure to not hold back for too long, Xavius. I wish to know more of your tale."
"In due time, Auron, in due time."