Heero wasn't tired. The adrenalin was pumping at its maximum through him, and he wielded the sollevar as if he was a true master. Had he been hesitant in taking lives a few hours before, now he was killing for survival -- for himself once again, for Relena, and for Duo, and for everyone he wanted to protect. There couldn't be many soldiers, not as many as on the courtyard, but still he found himself struggling, the sollevar feeling dull and heavy. He felt like his body was giving out of him after all; it had been a while since he had eaten, and he had barely slept, just to keep watch over everyone. Duo had told him that, even when being one of the Five, he wasn't invincible, and needed food and rest just like anyone else.
"Heero!"
Another soldier died, and he noticed he was getting closer to Khushrenada, who gave his orders, calm and composed as ever, with only the slightest hint of panic rising with every one of his commands. The crown was slipping from his hair, and he still held the smaller, fragile one in his hand.
"Heero!" It was Trowa, but Heero ignored him. Khushrenada was close, and the usurper was going to die at his very hands!
"Dortang, get down!"
The archer pulled Heero to the ground, and he rolled with him, hands above his head. He expected another Detonation, or another onslaught of ice from the skies, but it remained silent -- just for a few seconds, then a dark purple light became visible. It circled above their heads, growing in size and changing in shape. He didn't recognize it, and stared at it in fascination. What was Duo creating? It had to be Duo, judging from the color of the magic, and Quatre was next to Relena who still was wrapped in that strange light. Her mouth was open, and the look of her face was one of horror, until Heero realized just like her what it was.
A large scythe was spawn by the Death magic, growing in size until it was abnormally large, descending towards Duo. He made a gesture with his hand and the weapon flew through the air, slicing through the remnants of the army, killing the soldiers on impact. Those who hadn't fled screaming for their lives, were struck down, dead before they hit the ground. The scythe made a gruesome round through the throne room, returning to Duo who lifted up his hand and took it into his hand, as it decreased rapidly in size.
With the scythe over his shoulder, Duo went straight for Khushrenada, who, sweating, refused to run. He stood in front of the throne, not about to budge, visibly shaking. Heero didn't wait for Trowa to declare the situation safe again and scrambled back to his feet, despite the archer tugging at his pants, urging him to stay down. With his sollevar clenched into his hands, Heero ran towards Duo. Just as the scythe hovered a millimeter away from Khushrenada's throat, the sollevar hovered on his other side. The slightest movement would cut his artery. The usurper stood still, chest heaving, sweat drops rolling over his cheeks.
"Duo!" Quatre yelled. "Heero!"
Duo didn't look at Heero, and he didn't look at the Fire mage; they both were focused on Khushrenada.
"I can't hold the dortang back for long. I summoned it and it will do its work unless I call it back. I don't know if I can hold it back, or if I want to call it back."
"Just get it over with," Khushrenada snarled.
"Heero, please," Relena said. Her voice came from far away. "Please, don't! Don't let your anger guide you!"
Quatre closed the distance between them, wringing his hands.
"I've waited so long for this," Heero hissed. "Everything we went through, everything that has happened...it was all worth it, because it would lead me to you."
"All the pain you caused, all the churches you burned down..." Duo spoke emotionlessly.
"Call off the dortang, Duo. Please, in name of all the Gods, call it off," Quatre pleaded. "It has ended, it's over."
"Darlian, the farm," Heero said.
"Epyon country, Oz country, Pargan country, Barge country, Romefeller country..."
Khushrenada licked his lips. "I did what I wanted to do, and I wanted to bring myself to great power. If it were not for me, there would be someone else who would have done it!"
"And we would stop him, just like we did you," Duo immediately answered.
"I suffered too, Heero." Relena had closed the distance as well, without any soldier alive in the throne room left she could move freely. The light had died down, and she pointedly ignored the bodies around her. "It was my father and mother who were killed, I saw them die in a burning farm, their bodies... crushed by a support beam. I had to leave my homeland, without as much of a keepsake of my mother except for that picnic basket..."
"I tried to survive like you, Heero," she continued. "I tried not to complain, I tried to believe, and I tried to hold on to what I have learned. I learned that I wasn't someone I thought I was, and I learned that there was more to me than I thought there was. I also learned things about you, Heero. That you're a warrior, a fighter... but you fight for the good side of things, you fight for what you believe in, for what you want to protect -- not for the lust to kill, to satisfy a desire to murder... and this would be a murder, Heero."
"You have found life, Duo," Quatre pleaded. "Look at us. Your friends. Look at Heero. He's more to you than we ever could be. He's your life. Duo, if you take Khushrenada's life, you will strengthen the curse over you. We're here for you. You help souls cross the final border, you don't... you don't chase them, Duo, and you don't kill anyone in cold blood."
"We all suffered," Trowa said, "but it's not to use to serve justice." He glared at Wufei, who remained silent, his katana still in hand. He didn't speak.
"Heero, please, I don't want you to do this," Relena said. "No one can, or will, excuse him for what he did. We can't take matters onto our own hands like this, Heero. You're not a judge, you're not a jury, and you're not an executioner. Please."
"Call off the dortang, Duo," Quatre said, softly. "For us. For life."
Khushrenada licked his lips again. He dropped the intricate crown to the floor, but still he refused to avert his head even if he had been able to. The eerie silence seemed to drag on forever, until Heero brought up his free hand, grabbing Duo's all of the sudden. Khushrenada looked at the gesture in confusion. The next moment, the scythe died down and dissolved, the magic being recalled. Heero withdrew the sollevar and Khushrenada, while heaving a sigh, slumped to the floor, his body giving out on him.
"Yes, it's over," Duo said. He didn't slump, but his face was still pale, and his cheeks shone an unnatural red from the exertion. He looked down at the former usurper on the floor, who just stared dazed in front of him. "You will be brought to justice, Treize Khushrenada -- but justice won't be served by me, but by the people you despised and mistreated."
Heero gazed at the man, pensively. He had been denied what he had strived to do for so long: actually killing Khushrenada. He didn't know whether to feel disappointed or relieved. He had dreamed about stabbing, piercing and mutilating the man to death, taking out his pent-up anger and frustration on him. If it hadn't been for Khushrenada, he would still be working on the Darlian farm, living his life in relative peace and quiet... he wouldn't be destined for great deeds then, and certainly not for guiding a Princess to her Kingdom, and he wouldn't have met the others... or Duo.
He shifted the sollevar in his hand, pushing the weapon back against his shoulder, resting it there. Khushrenada's eyes followed his movement, still nervously breathing, chest heaving. There was nothing of him left, pale and sweaty as he was, the carefully arranged clothes looking grotesque on him. Two red spots showed on his neck, exactly where the scythe and the sollevar had hovered. Dethroned, the man hissed when Duo suddenly leaned into him -- without letting go of Heero's hand -- and picked up the smaller crown the former usurper had dropped.
"This was never meant for you," Duo said, holding up the crown and plucking off the taller one from Khushrenada's head. "Never."
It looked like he was going to spit something in return, but Wufei stepped up and yanked at his arm. His face was as neutral as ever, and there was no trace of his disappointment -- the Nataku warrior had wanted to execute his personal revenge on Khushrenada as well.
"Get up," he said. "Get up and face justice, Treize Khushrenada."
Duo turned around, this time breaking his grip with Heero's hand, and walked away, straight towards Relena and Merquise. His servant Otto was standing beside him, wearing a pleasant smile. Nichol was nowhere to be seen; he was either dead or on the run, and Duo couldn't care less about one member of the Treize Faction. He sketched a half-heartedly bow to the both of them and extended his hands.
"These belong to you," he said dryly. Merquise looked like the Fire mage had grown a second head, and said: "I doubt it, Duo of Maxwell Church. What has happened here, is..."
"...something your sister can explain to you," Duo all but beamed. "You're Milliardo Peacecraft, the Prince of the Kingdom of Sanq, not Zechs Merquise. That silver mask must have repressed your memories somehow, or at least blinded you for the truth."
"I wore that mask all my life," he answered, astounded. "My parents... the ones who took care of my education told me that I had to, because of what I was. I took it they meant because of my powers -- I obeyed them... I loved them."
"They meant well, just as the Darlians," Duo said. "They thought that as long your face wasn't visible, no one could ever link you to the lost Prince of Sanq, a member of the Peacecraft family."
"Nobody ever asked why," Milliardo mumbled. "Not even Khushrenada. Everybody accepted I was wearing a mask, nobody ever asked why or how."
"I didn't either," Duo said, "because I accepted you as who you were, and you were a particularly strong Fire mage."
"Not as strong as you, apparently," the taller man answered wistfully and spared a look to his left, where Khushrenada was helped to his feet by Wufei, katana still in his hand.
"What is going to happen now?"
"A lot," Duo answered truthfully. "There is a lot we have to do, a lot still remaining to be done... but for now, I think we better leave this room, and... lie down somewhere."
Relena's smile was watery, but she nodded. "Lying down and getting some rest sounds great, Duo."
The courtyard of Sanq castle was filled with people, gathered together from every corner of the world. Now that the Kingdom was found again, the borders had opened to everyone who wanted to see or to visit it. The writers at the wooden cabin close to the entry gate were getting cramps of taking all the names down, while the transport services between the castle and the gate had been restored to its former glory. It was a coming and going of carriages and horses, picking up travelers along as they went; no money was asked for the fare.
Basking in a rather strong sun, the castle was literally shining as the pristine white plaster reflected the warm rays. Many of the people crowded on the courtyard protected their eyes by keeping their hand over them; some had brought a hat or searched out cool relief in the palace itself; every room and hallway was open. People walked around, gaping at the marvelous architecture of the high ceilings, admiring the wonderful materials used to build it, as well as the materials used for the carpentries and tapestries. Sanq was going to revive, was reviving, its luscious green landscape ideal for houses and farms to be build, where families could live, where cattle could graze in the pastures, where children could run across the streets.
Relena and Milliardo stood on the steps in front of the castle's large entrance, cheered on by the people in front of them. Milliardo was right next to his sister, an arm wrapped around her protectively. She looked beautiful with her hair braided in a crown around her head, topped off with the real crown, the encrusted jewels shimmering in the daylight. Her dress was as white as Milliardo's pants, only the hems a soft yellow color, embroidered with light pink roses and light green vines. They both wore a sash, similar to what Khushrenada had worn; Milliardo's one was a dark red, hers a deep purple, held together with a brooch sporting similar stones as their respective crowns.
Waving at the crowd who just gaped at them or shyly waved back, Relena smiled widely, her face no longer that of a girl's, but of a young woman. A young woman who had taken duties and responsibilities upon her shoulders at the rebirth of a Kingdom, determined to revive her family's name and to do them justice. Milliardo was more distant, not wearing a smile; only the corners of his lips were slightly curled up. He felt less comfortable in his suit, complete with cape. According to Duo, some kind of gold staff and other regalia were supposed to go with the outfit, but Milliardo had friendly but firmly declined to wear anything more than the crown and the cape. He didn't exactly feel like a Prince, let alone a King, and it didn't feel right to move around dressed like one.
Heero stood a little behind them, sollevar leaning against his shoulder. People took him for a bodyguard, perhaps, because of the way he carried his weapon around or simply glared at anyone who took a little too much time gaping at Relena. He plucked at his brand new shirt, one without bloodspots, burn marks or cuts in the fabric. Combined with his dark green pants and brown boots, he looked far better than he had in a long time, when they were still traveling around. The bath he had enjoyed earlier had contributed a great deal; he had never seen water turn black so fast.
He had been standing there for hours, and it didn't look like there would be an end coming to the masses soon. The rumors of Khushrenada being stripped of his power and a Prince and Princess reviving the fabled Kingdom of Sanq were going around; the words forming myths and legends on their own. Heero had heard people discuss whether Khushrenada was dead or not, and some people were convinced he was roasted by his own Fire mage, while others told around that he was still alive, but horribly tortured and kept in a dark dungeon underneath the very same castle. He could do nothing but shrug; he couldn't keep every rumor under control, and the right news would reach the right people hopefully enough so they could inform citizens and inhabitants.
"Heero," Relena called his name softly, as she looked over her shoulder.
"Relena," he said and bowed to her. Her smile tightened a little.
"You don't have to do that for me."
"You're a real Princess now," he answered.
She lowered her eyes, and Heero stepped forward to touch her shoulder. "A real Princess, but also my friend."
That brought back her previous smile, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Always, Heero. Don't ever forget that."
"Don't you forget it either," he answered dryly. She pursed her lips, her face one and all determination. Her eyes didn't match the youthfulness of her features; just like Heero, she had seen too much in too little time, starting with a burning farm and her parents dying and ending with an all-out carnage before the usurper had been forced to surrender.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked, her voice a whisper. There was a tiny hint of fear in her words, fear of what he was going to say.
"You don't need me anymore," Heero said, his hand still on her shoulder. "I'm... I'm just wondering if you ever needed me at all."
"Nonsense," she was quick to answer. "I still need you, Heero. I don't have much strength without you."
"Nonsense," he repeated her words. "Look at you, Relena. This whole Kingdom is yours, you have found your brother, the people love you. They're looking at you with devotion and admiration in their eyes, and they are very willing to become your citizens, and to submit themselves to your rule -- because they know it will be peaceful and right."
"That's not what I meant," she said, and her eyes became a little watery. "I don't want to miss you, Heero, I really don't."
He nodded, understanding what she meant. "I'm a fighter," he finally said. "A warrior. I will fight in your name, I will fight for you."
"You don't have to leave the Kingdom just because you wield a weapon," Milliardo suddenly spoke up. "You take a special place in my sister's heart, that's obvious for everyone to see. Every one of the Five will always be welcome here, no matter what the circumstances."
"Thank you," Heero answered, rather surprised by Milliardo's words. It was also strange to think of him as 'Milliardo Peacecraft', instead of 'Zechs Merquise'. Judging from how the man was acting, it was still strange and difficult for himself as well. The taller man showed a watery smile in return, but Heero could see the confidence slowly returning. Milliardo would make a good leader in time.
"I'm never going to wield anything magical ever again, and if I don't see a dortang for the rest of my life, I would be very happy."
"Your reputation as a Fire mage still stands," Heero said. "Any enemy will think twice about attacking the country."
Milliardo nodded. "Enemies," he said bitterly. "I have made mistakes, both in Khushrenada's name as in my own name. I believed him, believed his promises, believed his lies, and went on to add my own mistakes. I can understand that not everyone will be happy with me, but if there are truly enemies out there, they will be stopped at our gates."
Relena remained silent, and there was a slight frown marring her brow; the discussion about her total pacifism and Milliardo's own experiences with war and fighting would be a lively one. Heero had good faith that brother and sister would be able to work out their differences and set sail for a course that would make them both happy, as well be the best for their citizens. He blinked as she suddenly leaned towards him.
"You'll always be in my heart."
"You'll always be in mine," he said, patting her on the shoulder. When she looked up and straightened herself the tear was gone and she smiled at him, genuinely warm and caring.
"Go to your Fire mage," she suddenly said and laughed. "Shoo!"
Milliardo whacked him on the back in a friendly gesture. The man had more strength then he held for possible, and Heero almost lost his balance.
"Give him my regards," he said and shared Relena's laugh. "It's very funny to think that he used to teach me how to control my Fire spells. Master and student, now mage and Prince. How the world can change!"
How the world can change, indeed, Heero thought and bowed quickly to Relena and Milliardo despite her telling him that it wasn't necessary, and retreated into the castle, refraining visibly from groaning -- Milliardo really, really, really didn't know his own strength.
Duo was in one of the many rooms on the second floor of the castle, on the south side. Heero knew why he had chosen this one; it had the same, church-like ceiling as the main hallway, and it offered a view on the mountains -- not as tall as the ones surrounding Libra, but pretty impressive anyway. The sun was high in the sky; it was only in the afternoon.
"Where are you going to?"
Duo didn't look up from his position in front of the window. On the bed laid a small roll, a bundle of robes, wrapped around his staff. Heero hadn't seen the thing in a while; it meant that Vayeate had been brought from the garden in the Tallgeese estate to the royal stables here.
"I don't know," he said. "I was thinking of going back to Libra and unlock the libraries again. See how the children are doing, and if there are any new students needing my help."
Heero walked up to him and all but threw his sollevar on the bed, before putting both his hands on Duo's shoulders. It pleased him that the Fire mage leaned back against him, rather relaxed.
"I'm happy for you. With the Peacecrafts in power and Sanq restored, I'm sure that magic will soon have the respect it deserves to have, and that no one will look down at anyone with powers anymore."
"I'm still a Death mage," Duo said, lifting up his hands and studying them. A very faint, dark purplish glow enveloped them. "I don't understand... still, I'm not someone who summons simple flames. The things I studied and learned were forbidden, 'graced' upon me by Shinigami himself, and not many will forget that."
Heero shifted a little, moving his arms forward so he could place his hands on top of Duo's. The faint purplish glow immediately disappeared.
"We can go back to Libra, or return to your homeland, Epyon country, and see if there's a solution, something we can find to help you... maybe even a new home we can find."
"What do you mean, we?" Duo asked, but his eyes were brimming with mirth. He tilted his head backwards, slightly annoyed that Heero was a little taller, but this way, he could better look at his eyes.
"The legend of the Legends of the Five has ended," Heero said.
"It might have, but the Legends themselves continue to live on," Duo winked. "Isn't that how a fairytale is supposed to end?"
"Any fairytale isn't supposed to end with disorder and chaos," Heero brought his lips closer and touched Duo's cheek. "Which will erupt in this world if we don't do something about it. There are still commanders walking around, remnants of Khushrenada's army, people who supported him, people who have gained wealth and riches by standing on his side, people like Duke Dermail and Dorothy Catalonia, Quinze... some lives will be destroyed, torn apart..."
"And Relena will suffer the backlash one day," Duo answered, gloomily. "No matter how peaceful everything seems now, there will be people disputing her, rejecting her... there will be enemies one day."
"She's strong."
Duo tilted his head a little more to return the gentle kiss. "So are you."
"You too."
"Now that you figured that all out..." Heero and Duo both startled, and Heero almost dropped the Fire mage, quickly grabbing his robes to prevent him from falling.
"Wufei! Stop sneaking up on us, you...you silly person!"
"Silly person?" Wufei's eyebrows shot up, but he was rather amused and walked into the room. It was the second time that Heero saw him out of his uniform; he was wearing the traditional garb of his clan again, the embroidered dragon on his shirt looking very lively in the broad sunlight.
"Are you leaving?" He said, his eyes darting over to the assembled gear on the bed.
"We aren't staying," Heero simply answered. "There's a lot more happening in this world, and a lot more things that need to be taken care of."
Wufei nodded, his expression slipping back into his standard neutral one. "Are you stopping by Libra? If so, give my regards to that Po woman."
"We will," Duo said, and hid a laugh behind his sleeve. Heero asked him why Wufei wasn't coming along with them.
The Nataku warrior shrugged, movement brusque. "My homeland was robbed of its inhabitants -- there is nothing left there that reminds me of our clans, our traditions, our culture... maybe one day I will travel back and teach the people who have taken up living there about our customs. For at least a generation, nothing will grow there. Such was the impact of the war. One day, the beauty will return."
"You're going to...ah, accompany Khushrenada first, right?" Duo asked.
"Yes. He and Lady Une, though for the woman there are certain... exceptions. She followed him religiously, but maybe, if she has been manipulated instead of following on her own volition, justice will have mercy upon her. It is out of my hands, but no harm will come to her for as long as it takes for justice to decide. I will personally see to it that it will be done correctly."
"Thank you," Heero said. "It's a great task you've burdened yourself with."
"It is the only thing I can do now," Wufei answered. "I do not know if I await the process and the trial, though. Maybe I will also travel around, hunt for those who have commanded and commandeered in his name, and will see to it that they are brought to justice as well."
"Libra will always be our safe haven," Duo said. "Libra and the Kingdom of Sanq."
"Is that how we're going to stay in touch?" Quatre's voice rang out, but they had heard the Nature mage approach, his dark blue robes swishing over the floor.
"Exactly," Duo confirmed. His smile was gone; he didn't like saying goodbye. Trowa entered the room after Quatre, and they were all together in one place -- five of them, just like they had traveled and worked together for so long.
"We're going to stay here for a while," Quatre announced. "We're going to keep some supervision on how everything's going here, to help establish the balance in the Kingdom, and to help Relena out the first few months with advice."
"I appreciate it," Heero suddenly said, and Quatre nodded; no one knew of his promise he had made to Relena before, but one had to be blind to not see the special bond between those two.
"I don't think she'll need that much advice, though," Quatre continued. "She's very keen and intelligent. Maybe she'll kick us out after a month or two because we're nagging her."
"Sanq and Libra will always be safe places," Duo repeated, tone of voice serious. "We can leave messages for each other if need be, and I'm sure that after everything we went though, we just... we just know when the other needs help. This is just a temporary break-up."
"Break-up?" Trowa asked. "It doesn't feel like a break-up to me. The group splits, yes, but it doesn't feel like it's falling apart."
"No," Duo hastily added, "I didn't mean it like that. We traveled around for so long, and we've been through many things. The dungeon, the battles, the fights, the confrontation with Khushrenada..."
The archer agreed. "Our goal has been fulfilled -- our primary goal, which was to stop and take down the usurper. Now we get to fulfill our secondary goals... be it personal or for the greater good..."
"I want to travel back to Maganac and see the mines of my homeland once again," Quatre said. "It can wait until we're finished here."
"I want to wander around in the huge forests of Oz country again, without being bothered or attacked by soldiers, without the burden of war," Trowa said. "I will fight when it's necessary, and you can always call for me. I prefer nature not crying from the atrocities enforced upon her, but I will fight. You can count on me, brothers."
"Brothers," Heero immediately echoed, along with Duo and Quatre, and Wufei agreed as well, which brought a wide smile on both mages' faces.
"We'll see all of you again soon," Duo promised as he took up the bundle from the bed, hoisting it over his shoulder, his staff in the other hand. Wufei handed Heero his sollevar without a single word.
"Thank you," he said to the Nataku warrior, settling once and for all any debt, with both their honor intact.
"Be well," Quatre said. "I was hoping you would stay for dinner..."
Duo punched Heero in the upper arm when he froze at the word 'dinner'.
"Hey you! I'm over here!"
Trowa burst out in laughter, and Quatre joined in, laughing out loud when the Fire mage put up a mock-offended expression, his braid swinging with every movement. Heero quickly went to stand by his side.
"Let's go," he said, forgetting about food when he looked at Duo, who already was smiling at him again. He had the same determination as Relena, but he was more wary; Duo knew realistically about the dangers and trouble they could still find on their path, and not only thieves or robbers, but fierce enemies, strong opponents, and... each other. A bond had formed between them, already too strong to break, but too fragile to survive each and every set-back, disappointment or problem. They needed to grow even more, physical attraction not the sole base of their relationship.
Quatre was certain the Fire mage and the warrior would stay together for as long as possible, though. Whatever they still needed to deal with, they would do so; fiery, passionate, maybe with some tears or a little fight, but always... together. That had been clear to him, he could feel it down in his heart, from the moment he had seen Duo and Heero meeting for the first time at the fire, back in Auda country.
"Yes, let's go," Duo said and raised his staff in a last greeting, a farewell to his friends, before turning around and leaving the room. Heero did the same, raising his sollevar to the others as he turned around, following Duo and falling into step with him. This was his place. Next to him, next to Duo, who had set his heart on fire; fitting for the person he was. Heero wasn't afraid of his magic, as Duo wasn't afraid of his will to fight. Whatever this world would force them to face, they would break down every barrier, every obstacle and stay together for the rest of their lives. A happy ever after, maybe with a twist.
Duo sought out his hand as they walked, the hallway seemingly endless. Heero returned Duo's firm grip.
"Hope should never be lost to the world."
With Duo, he had found it.
End of Legends of the Five
Chapter 13 |