|
"Duo's Salvation "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Gratuitous violence, abuse, torture, language, yaoi, lemon, angels, demons, bigotry, hypocrisy, blasphemy, heresy, sacrilege, and general religion-bashing. THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR THE CLOSE-MINDED. Pairings: 1x2, others Summary: When the Prince of Hell is captured and taken to Heaven, it is up to the Prince of Heaven to save him. But what if he believes Duo is already being saved? "Duo's Salvation "
A Bygone Era "Duo . . . mmm . . . wake up, Duo . . ." I don't want to. Mm, that feels nice . . . Something like a soft laugh. "Wake up, sleepy demon." Barely awake though he was, Duo still grunted and turned away from the ticklish sensation against his ear. It returned to his neck. Whatever touched him was quite cold, and there was the impression of something sharp. Not enough pressure to hurt, but definitely the potential. It stroked his neck. Wait. What is that? Heero wouldn't call me that . . . More soft laughter. Duo jerked, eyes flying open as he sat up in his start. Bringing him face-to-face with the fierce aqua eyes of a very amused gryphon. Quatre's beak fell open in what could only be a laugh. "Time to wake up," he crooned. It was only at this juncture that Duo realized the gryphon was speaking into his mind. Of course. How could that beak form words? Duo glared at him. "What the hell did you wake me up for?" he demanded. Quatre settled into a lazy sprawl, flexing gleaming claws. Which, Duo noticed, were covered in blood. The gryphon began carefully cleaning them. "It's late. It's almost noon." "So?" "Shouldn't you be taking an active interest in your journey?" Quatre asked. Duo's jaw clenched at the tone. "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing," the gryphon said, shrugging his feathered shoulders. "I just find it . . . odd that a demon is so easily handing his fate to an angel." "Heero saved my life not once, but twice," Duo informed the enchanted creature. "I trust him." "I'm not trying to diminish that fact," Quatre said somewhat primly. "I just think it's odd." Duo really didn't know what to say to that, so he subsided. Looking around, he carefully sat up. The movement upset one of the hydra heads, which was coiled around him - napping right along with him while the other four paid attention to the trail they followed. It struck Duo funny, and he scratched its chin. Quatre, he noticed, was perched rather precariously on the largest head. He looked a little too big for that position, but the hydra didn't seem to mind. "Where are Heero and Trowa?" he asked. Quatre shrugged. "I don't know. I was napping when they disappeared. Probably scouting ahead or something. Trowa's an elf; they like to do that." ". . . oh. Where are we now?" "Somewhere in the Forest of Mists," Quatre replied, unfolding his wings. "Other than that, I don't know." Duo looked at him, torn between amusement and annoyance. "And you were just bitching at me that I don't take an active interest in my journey?" Quatre made a sound not unlike a hiss - Duo guessed it was laughter. The gryphon fluffed his feathers a little, making the hydra's head bob for a moment. "I am not grounded like you. And gryphons are not forest-dwellers. I live in the mountains and cliffs, so all this green looks the same to me." "Only because you are too lazy to learn the distinctions," Trowa's voice said suddenly. The tall elf and angel strode into the hydra's path, making the creature pull up short with a grunt. Four of the five heads peered down at the elf, obviously waiting for some explanation. The fifth head remained dozing on Duo's lap. "We're almost out of the forest," Heero said, looking at Duo. "It's about to get a lot more dangerous for us. We're going to make camp for a few days so I can work with your wings, Duo. If we could even fly in short bursts it would greatly speed our progress." "I could fly ahead," Quatre offered, finally getting off the hydra's largest head. He transformed midway to the ground. "Let the dragons know we're coming. They won't get all territorial with me, either." "Why not?" Duo asked. "For some reason, dragons don't bother gryphons," Trowa said, looking at the young demon. "They drive all other creatures - except wild animals - out of their territories." "Oh," Duo said, lapsing into silence. He didn't know anything about dragons. "And I think that's a good idea," Trowa went on. "Fly ahead and let Wufei know we're coming. I doubt he could fly out to meet us without drawing too much attention . . . I take it you don't want anyone to know where you are, Heero?" The angel shook his head. "No. Oraia may not directly challenge the dragons - especially if they're willing to give us sanctuary - but I would rather she not have any idea where to find us. Not until I have a better idea of what I'm going to do." Trowa nodded. "Then fly ahead, Quatre. Keep your eyes open for any pursuit while you're up there, too. Meet up with us past the Keirwhyn River." Duo listened to them, trying not to be annoyed that they were completely excluding him from their discussion. Seeing as how it actively affected him . . . Quatre caught his eye, and the gryphon gave him an inscrutable look. Something almost like a challenge, but so buried beneath a plethora of other things Duo couldn't be sure. He transformed and leaped into the air, winging upward through the trees in a graceful arc until he disappeared from sight. There was no mistaking the affection in Trowa's eyes as he watched the gryphon go. "The hydra will have to leave us now," he said, looking at Duo. "They won't leave the forest - too far from the swamps." Sighing with no small regret, Duo shifted the napping head. Black eyes regarded him reproachfully, and he slid down to the ground. Trowa made a strange hand signal to the hydra, and it turned back the way they'd come. It vanished back into the forest with surprising speed. In less than half-an-hour Trowa had a small camp set up. Then the elf ventured back into the forest to hunt. Heero turned to Duo. "You ready to test your wings?" Nodding, Duo rose to his feet. A bit of concentration and his black wings flowed down his back. It happened much more smoothly this time, and fewer feathers drifted to the ground. Heero, watching, got a tiny smile on his face. "That was much better. Do they hurt?" "Not really," Duo replied, shifting them a little. "Still pretty stiff." Warm, strong fingers delved into the sleek feathers. It was so sudden Duo actually moaned, eyes sliding shut at the warm and brilliant surge of bliss. He melted into Heero's skilled touch, and he heard the angel make a soft, amused sound. "The bone healed well," Heero murmured, sliding his hand under the large joint and lifting. Not so long ago that would have caused Duo indescribable pain. Now it was just a little uncomfortable, the natural stiffness of recently healed muscles. Soon Heero's massaging fingers warmed the large joint, and Duo was able to move them much more freely. "Go ahead and move them up and down yourself a few times," Heero said. "I wish I dared let you fly. But who knows who's watching the skies?" Duo obeyed him until he felt the first twinges of protest. Lowering them, he let them disappear. He did it a few more times until Heero touched his shoulder. "That's enough." The shining black wings disappeared once more. Duo looked at Heero, a strange mix of emotions running through him. "Can you still sense Oraia?" he asked at length. Understanding filled Heero's cobalt eyes. "No. She's not anywhere close, though I'm certain she will not give up the pursuit. When she has set her mind on something, she's very determined to see it through." Duo resisted the urge to shiver. Thinking about her didn't make his blood run cold, as long as he knew there was some distance between them. He suspected it would change rather quickly if actually saw her. Then again, they were on Candora now. Her powers, like his, would be limited. "Duo?" Heero queried, brushing the backs of his fingers over Duo's cheek. Closing his eyes, Duo turned away from him. If he ever came face-to-face with Oraia in Hell, he would show her no mercy. He would show her why he was the Prince of Hell. o0o 0o0 It was a few days before Heero decided to break camp and leave the outskirts of the Forest of Mists. During that time he made Duo exercise his wings frequently to get them back into flying shape. He knew the demon prince wouldn't be able to fly for any great duration, but his wings were strong enough now he could maintain flight for at least short distances. "We shouldn't fly too long, anyway," he said. "Oraia may be watching the skies, and the longer we stay airborne the greater the danger she'll see us." Duo wordlessly agreed, but for some reason his compliance bothered Heero. He wasn't quite sure why. Is it because it's so different than how he was before? Do I actually wish for that behavior over this? He didn't know. It was almost like . . . Actually, he didn't know what it was like. Why wasn't he grateful Duo wasn't being his usual difficult, argumentative self? "It will take at least seven days to reach the Keirwhyn River," Trowa said. He'd procured a new mount from somewhere - this one a beautiful white doe. She had eyes darker than sable, soft and gentle. Heero and Duo had less unusual mounts. Bay geldings for them both. The horses were both handsome creatures, though. "When we break out of the forest," he said, looking at Duo, "let's try flying for a little while. We can still use the trees as cover, so it should be safe enough." Duo nodded, his dark violet eyes introspective, gaze turned inward. Heero wondered what he was thinking about, and the strange thought flashed through him that he wished they were close enough he could ask. He loves me. We've had sex several times. Doesn't that mean we're close enough? Sighing, he stopped thinking about it. Right now wasn't the time for this. It would probably never be the time. There was a war brewing, and until it was well and over he couldn't spare the time to think about these things. Abruptly he was aware of eyes on him, and when he looked up Duo was watching him. Heero could not begin to read the expression on that normally open face. But the intensity actually made him shiver - not enough that it was visible, but he felt it just the same. Then it was gone. Soon enough the trees tapered off to just a few here and there, the forest giving way to gentle landscape. Nodding at Trowa to keep going ahead, Heero motioned Duo to follow him in dismounting. "Let me know when you're tired," he said, "or if there's any pain." Duo gave him a cheeky grin, reminding Heero sharply of when they'd first been alone here together. "Wanna race?" Heero gave him a flat look. "No. And stay lower than the treeline." It was Duo's turn to make a face. "The treeline? How are we supposed to get any speed flying that low?" "We're not going for speed right now," Heero said firmly. "I just want to build back up your strength and stamina." Tightening his lips, looking none too happy, Duo nevertheless obeyed. His beautiful black wings spread into flight position, and he followed Heero off the ground. Heero leveled off maybe thirty feet above the ground, wings beating the air while he waited for Duo to catch up. The demon didn't seem to struggle greatly for that small altitude, which was good. Angels and demons had powerful wings that were meant for great speed, so it was actually harder to maintain relatively low altitude and slow speed. Heero could tell Duo wanted to put on a burst of speed and vie for some height, but he stayed at Heero's side. Heero was glad, because he had no way of knowing if their position was secure. o0o 0o0 Quatre met up with them at the Keirwhyn River only a few hours after the three of them arrived. He told them the dragons were waiting, expecting them within a week or two. The trip to the Black Mountains took twelve days, during which time Duo's wings got stronger and stronger. He still could not fly great distances. When they reached the craggy cliffs and sheer faces of the Black Mountains, Quatre paused. "These mountains are home to many gryphons," he said, "including me and my kin. We're going to have to fly up to those caves." He pointed high, high up. "There's no way to safely walk. I will carry Trowa, but I can't fly as fast as you two will be able to. Go on ahead. Wufei knows you're coming." Duo nodded and waited for Heero's go ahead before extending his wings. Not a single feather fell to the ground, which obviously pleased Heero. He gave Duo a small smile before extending his own wings and springing into flight. Duo followed him. This would be the first time in a long, long time he'd fly to any altitude. About halfway there he felt the first thermals. His wings spread wide, gratefully accepting the temporary aid. It took very little effort on his part to fly higher, letting the upward draft of warm air do most of the work. Heero seemed to have caught one, as well, as he spiraled lazily ever higher. Glancing down Duo saw Quatre begin his ascent with Trowa. The elf looked perfectly comfortable being held in the gryphon's wicked talons. Angel and demon landed on the ledge of the caves, and Duo's wings vanished. A single feather drifted off in the breeze, but for once Duo ignored it. "That was much easier than trying to fly low," he told Heero. "I'm glad you had no trouble reaching my cave, little demon," came a huge voice. Not booming loud, just huge. It didn't hurt Duo's ears, it just made his whole frame quiver. Out of the cave came a black dragon. He was enormous. And he was magnificent. The first dragon Duo had ever seen in his life, he was duly impressed. He was jet black, scales glittering with a metallic sheen. Long and lithe with great fan-like wings that attached to his body at the shoulder and all the way down half his tail. His spined crest was silver, and his eyes shifted between black and gold. "You must be Wufei," Heero said, inclining his head. "I am," the dragon confirmed, "and you are Heero, Prince of Heaven." He looked to Duo, "And Duo, Prince of Hell. I will be honest. No stranger company has ever sought sanctuary with the dragons. Please, be welcomed in my lair. No harm will come to you here, not from any source. You have my most solemn vow." "Thank you," Heero said. Wufei led them deep into the caves. As they got further from the entrance the natural light slowly disappeared. It was replaced by a deep red glow, and eventually they came to the source. It got warmer and warmer until it was hot, and then they broke into an impossibly large cavern. In the center of the floor in a perfectly round hole bubbled a pool of lava. Duo blinked, taken by surprise. "Where does this come from?" he asked. Wufei glanced toward it. "These mountains have many active volcanoes. This particular pool was rerouted a few centuries ago, so it's connected to a main tunnel. My species does not indulge, but there are many smaller fire dragons that love bathing in the lava." That was hard to imagine. Duo shivered just thinking about it. It wasn't long before Quatre and Trowa appeared. "Wufei," Heero said, "if you don't mind I'd like to leave Duo with you and do a little scouting in search of any pursuit. I'm certain no one will find us here, but I want to be sure." Wufei nodded. "He will be safe here." "Thank you. Quatre? Would you mind coming with me? I could use those keen eyes of yours." The gryphon nodded, fierce eyes bright and eager. "Happy to. Trowa, you keep Duo company ne?" Duo caught another strange look from the gryphon, then he and Heero were gone. Duo felt a strange tightness in his chest ease a bit. "So what do dragons do for fun around here?" he asked. Wufei's jet black eyes peered down at him, head canted ever-so-slightly to the side as though he saw something unusual. "I am quite certain dragons and demons would have vastly different ideas of 'fun'," he said. Duo snorted. "I'm sure of that. So Heero told me dragons think a lot of my mother, Tovala the Cruel. Is that because dragons are decadent, depraved creatures, too?" Wufei lowered his head all the way to the ground. At the top of his crest his head was still taller than Duo's full height. "Hmm. You are much different without your angel friend around. I get the feeling you waited to ask that until he was gone." For some reason, the words bothered Duo. His back stiffened, leaving him feeling quite defensive. "I don't know what you mean." Those endless black eyes regarded him silently for a time. "No? Never mind then. Are you hungry? Fatigued?" "Bored," Duo supplied. "I want something to do. Do you have young dragons around here who would have more interesting things to do than sit around making oblique comments to visitors?" Wufei rumbled a low laugh. "Indeed." He rose back to his feet and disappeared into a side chamber. It wasn't long before two other dragons replaced him. They were much, much smaller. One was a deep bluish color, the other a wheat-gold. For some reason, Duo could tell they were both female. And neither of them were the same species as Wufei. They both lacked the crest, and they looked less serpentine and more lizardlike. Still quite beautiful. "You must be Duo," the bluish-black one said. "I'm Hilde. This is my cousin, Relena. You know, I think you're the first demon I've ever met. Come on! We'll show you around and you can tell us about Hell. I've heard so much about it I scarce know what's truth and what's myth!" Duo's lips twisted into a smirk. "It's probably all true. Have you heard of fire and brimstone? Damnation and despair? Absolutely immoral behavior and decadence running rampant? Lustful creatures who allow their physical desires to rule them? All true." The gold one named Relena raised her head as though she found the imagery unpleasant. Duo couldn't care less, but the dark one, Hilde, broke into giggles. "I like you, Duo. Come on! There's a lot to see around here. We'll take you to the lava fountains. And if you're curious, we'll take you to the city." "The city?" "Oh yes. An entire city carved out of the granite. Can you picture it? It's magnificent." Duo blinked, surprised. "I can't wait to see it!" Dark eyes brightened with delight and good humor. "I know you'll love it! Come on, Relena, move your gold butt. We've got a lot of ground to cover!" Relena's pale blue eyes showed her displeasure. Finally feeling a bit more like himself, Duo ignored her. Besides, Hilde was great company. She chattered about this and that while they walked, and soon they came to the lava fountains. If the pool of lava had been unexpected, the fountains were doubly so. Running in deep crevasses or bubbling lazily or shooting up many feet in the air the lava moved about the huge system of caverns. The closer to the ground the deeper red the color. The peaks of lava were almost gold. It was breathtaking. "Wow," Duo muttered. He could see many small dragons splashing around in the pools. "Are those fire dragons?" "Yes. Relena and I are wind dragons, and Wufei's an Imperial dragon. They're the biggest, and they're pretty rare. Anyway, come on! We've got to show you the city!" And if the lava fountains were impressive, the city shocked Duo into complete silence. Ten-thousand times bigger than the biggest city he'd ever seen, the tallest buildings spanned almost out of sight. The architecture was flowing and smooth, a sharp counterpoint to the obviously rough surfaces. Duo stared, trying to take it all in at once, not able to, eyes not sure where to go first. Hilde giggled at his expression. "Yeah, it's pretty amazing, isn't it?" "I'd say . . ." Duo managed after catching his breath. He suspected he could spend days wandering this city and still not see it all. "Does it have a name?" "Ne'sa Sair'aiyn," she replied, "which used to mean 'city of wonders' or maybe even 'beautiful city'. That language is spoken no longer, and mortals do not even remember it. It's from an era long gone." The words brought a sudden surge of melancholy. Sighing faintly, Duo looked to his two escorts. "Can we explore it a little? Do dragons still live here?" "Not so much anymore," Hilde answered. "This is also a relic from that time. We don't really need it anymore, so it's pretty much abandoned. Most of the dragons you'll see are just younglings playing hide-and-seek." Duo nodded, feeling a bit blue now. "Showing a blatant lack of respect for our past, if you ask me," Relena suddenly piped up. She glared over the ancient city. "This is hallowed ground, not a playground." Hilde shrugged. "What can we do? They're not hurting anything, and at least it keeps them out of trouble." Relena just made a rude sound. Duo followed Hilde, unable to shake his unease around the gold female. He just didn't like her.
tbc |
