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Ryo sat on the bus listening to 'Just breathe.' he was almost nodding off but just awake enough to get off at his stop. he stands up yawning after signalling he'd like to get off and walked out into the night heading into the forested section of the woods. the music still playing. he walked under the path lamp the light being almost absorbed by hs jet black hair. He had spotted him on the bus. Watching where the boy jumped off, the young man pulled his sunglasses off his face." ...So that's him..." He followed the other off the bus. Ryo walked on, he made it through the small forest to the busy city street. "Just breathe....." he said speaking the last words of the song and stopped at the cross walk. Sabyien followed, not too closely....enough to keep him in view. Walking among the dark trees, he was tempted to leap into the branches to get ahead of him. "But, what would that serve?" He thought to himself. "To scare him?"That thought made him smirk, yeah, he could scare this Sword-barer.. ..and ruin the plan he had for the younger boy. Most of the Sword-barers that he encountered were women, and all had always been...well, a tad unapproachable. (They were usually the ones who'd end his existence in their home-realms.) Maybe, this one would be different. "One could only hope" he said to himself. Smiling at the novelty, Sabyien stopped at the light . Observing the Male Sword-barer from the corner of his eye. While waiting for the light to turn, Ryo felt a presence beside him, Glancing to one side he saw a young man, he wore a blue blazer, shirt partly open down the front in the summer evening's heat. As Ryo's eyes was trailing down the thigh-length of his hair the other boy absently pushed a lock of midnight black hair behind a delicately pointed ear... Ryo's eyes widened. His ears were pointed! like an elf's! ....well not quite like an elf's. Without being too obvious, Ryo tried to focus on the face, he appeared to be close about his age...But the way he carried himself, confidently cool and mature. Like some one who knew how..... The fascinating young man took a step on the street, without thinking, Ryo automatically stepped out. SCRREEE!!! His heart jumped, The car just barely missed him by scant inches! Ryo was then aware of an arm holding him back from the street. " You should watch what your doing." Ryo looked up into a pair of deep indigo eyes. "uh......y-yeah". One corner of Sabyien's mouth quirked into a bemused smile. Ryo carefully removed himself from his embrace. his phone went off. he picked it up without a second thought and before receiving the call thanked him for saving his life. then proceeded to open his side of the phone call. "Hello?.... Yeah maggie Im almost home.... look out the window im waving right at you." he said with a shake of his arm. "huh?" he turned and looked at the guy again. "Actually no I don't know who he is, he just saved my life though. yeah yeah not watching where i was going again." he then winced and held the phone away from his ear as the woman on the other end began to rant and rave about how he'd wind up dead in the street. he looked at the guy and gave a winced smile. he then put the phone back to his ear. "...well i wouldn't if you didn't rip my ear off yelling at me constantly!" the conversation went on for a little longer. he then shut the phone of. "Nag..." he muttered and stepped into the street again as the lights changed. he began to cross. he looked over his shoulder at the man, he hadn't moved for the spot on the edge of the cross walk, Ryo couldn't help but get the feeling he knew him from somewhere. he sighed and continued to cross. he had homework to do and the thought of the so called 'algebra of doom' in his book bag was mystery enough for one night. he turned when he crossed the street and headed up his front walk. he took a final look back at the man at the crosswalk. he still hadn't moved. it was sort of creepy in a way. but as he thought before one mystery was enough. he didn't know why but he had a feeling he'd meet this guy again. School, Ryo yawned, He didn't get too much sleep the night before. And first thing this morning....The teacher walked in. "Good morning class, I'd like to introduce our foreign exchange student." Everyone looked in interest at the new student. But Ryo gawked, It was the guy from last night! "Hello, my name is Sabyien. I'm from England, this is my first time in Japan." There were mummers. England? he came fro so far? Ryo thought frowning. "Thank you, Sabyien. Please take that empty seat." The teacher began her lesson as Sabyien took the seat beside Ryo. The bell rang for lunch. Most of the students gathered by the basketball court to watch a game. Sabyien, who had already attracted group of girls, was also playing on the court. Ryo over-heard the girls' comments about the new student... Girl 1:...he's from England? Girl 2: Yeah, I heard that he lives in the Lazender Hotel! Girl 1: No way! Isn't that like a mega-pricey Hotel? Girl:2: Yep! *smiles* I've been inside it. it's like a mini mall inside. it has a bunch of stores in it... Surprised, Ryo looked at Sabyien again. He lives in a hotel? Girl 1: I wonder if he has a girlfriend *giggles* Girl 2: I hope not....*eyeing Sabyien up an down.*...I want some of that! *gigging* But despite all the attention he was getting, Sabyien ignored the girls, preferring to stay aloof. SWOOSH! The Sabyien ran after the ball, stopped in front of Ryo and the two girls, panting from playing the game. His eyes flicked briefly over Ryo's face... Girl 1: "Um....excuse me...." Saby: Yes? "Is it true that you live in Lazender Hotel?" "Yes." He smiled, picked up his jacket and glanced over at Ryo again. "Actually, I own it." Ryo's jaw dropped. Sabyien smiled at the girls and gave them a wink the girls let out a chorus of giggles. Ryo looked at them, looked at Sabyien. then turned and walked away. he crossed the school yard and sat on an abandoned swing. he sighed. Why did he care that the new guy was getting all this attention? why did he care at all? new people came all the time. He sighed again. England. He had been there before when he was little before his parents died leaving him with his older sister. england in the summer. it had rained all their visit except for the last day, he smiled at this. how they were just boarding the plane when the sun came out. funny how life was like that huh? just one big tease after another. he looked at Sabyien then up at the sky. Saby freed himself from the girls who begged constantly for his attention, to be invited to the hotel, to be his girl, he shot them down with a smile and a wink, so that they didn't feel so bad and walked over to Ryo. "Something wrong? you seem a little ticked." "Nothing that should bother you." he said looking up at him with an edged voice. Saby sat in the swing next to him. "Aww come on, your the only one here I really know, Lets be friends." he said putting a hand on his shoulder. "I doubt you'd Want me as a friend. I've been told I can be a real ass." Saby laughed. The Bell rang. It was time for fourth period. The rest of the school day passed with-out event. Ryo found out that Sabyien played a piano,amazing the music teacher with his skill. Ryo sighed, I don't want to go to cram-school today "Hey!" A familiar voice called. Ryo turned to see Sabyien running out the school gates. "Your name's Ryo right?" Sabyien asked as he came up to Ryo. "Yes..uh." He hesitated, "You were pretty good at that piano." "Yeah" Sabyien held his book-bag over one shoulder. "Never had a lesson, I come by it naturally." He smiled. Ryo smiled nervously back, Why is he... "We've met before...Lastnight....You almost walked onto a busy street." "Oh yeah....thanks for that...I guess I wasn't thinking." Ryo began to walk away . "Do you want a tour of my hotel?" Sabyien asked. "What?" "A tour of my hotel...." Saby ran a hand though his hair in nervous gesture. "...you'll be my guest." While Ryo was thinking it over, a Black Limo pulled up. "Back to Lazender, Sir?" The driver opened the door. "Well, how about it?" Sabyien waited. Ryo bit on his thumb tip nervously trying to decide. "I'm sorry I can't I'm need to get home, my sister has to work and i gotta watch her kids for her. maybe another day..." he said with a nervous grin. "Too bad. then can I at least offer you a ride home?" "Uh.... no thanks, I don't wanna be a bother." "No bother I head that way to the hotel, Its right on the way. come on, One friend to another." "Um... ok then.... thanks." he got into the limo and scooted over. Sabyien climbed in and smiled at him. Sabyien leaned back into the leather seats. The driver called back to him. "Sir, shall I remind you of the pick-up?" "Pick-up?" Saby blinked. "The roses Sir." Ryo looked out the window pretending not to care, they were probably for some rich girl or a gift for one of the higher ups staying in the hotel. "1040 Forest street." he said before the driver could ask. Sabyien smiled at him. "Direct aren't you?" "I gotta get home." Sabyien looked up at the apartment buliding as if to remember it. "Thanks for the ride." Ryo waved. Sabyien nodded. "Anytime, see ya!" Back at Lazender, night-fall was greeted by beautiful piano music. White roses were spread over a table nearby. One of the roses was pinned to his shirt. Sabyien's eyes were closed, lost in the melody. This one....he'd grown into a rather handsome young man.... too bad I couldn't save his parents... His fingers stopped at the thought. He fingered the shard of crystal from under his shirt. I wonder...Sabyien walked onto the balcony. "I should check up on him....but." He smiled, perched on the railing, a pair of Wings appeared on his back....He tested the wind.... and launched himself into the sky. Sabyien flew through the sky passing over the city headed for the apartment building. He perched on a tree limb that gazed into the living room of the apartment window that looks into the Living room of the apartment. Ryo looks after the kids as best he can but soon its bedtime. he picks up the five year old twins and carried them into their bedroom and put them in lock down, the kids went to sleep when they were told. he then moved into the bathroom, Sabyien moved along the branch until he was looking into the same room. He Blushed unconsciously as Ryo undressed and turned on the shower facing the window fully all the time. He looked right out the window but didn't seem to see Sabyien he climbs into the shower and closes the curtain. He gulped, he knew he shouldn't be watching....but. the other boy's unconscious grace captivated him. Sabyien stepped back deeper into the covering leaves, he could barley make him out in the steaming bathroom. I shouldn't be doing this...I only want to see if he was ok... His thoughts were blown away as Ryo stepped from shower, dripping wet.... Sabyien's throat when dry, he couldn't watch anymore. He flew to the roof of a nearby building, Wings fading, he put one hand on his chest....his heart was pounding.... The crystal shard around his neck sparked briefly. Saby observed it What?.... Then he understood....Nah that can't be....could it? He closed his eyes...Maybe if I try a 'dream-walk' see what he is. Ryo Wrapped himself in a New looking Black house coat after drying himself off and donning a pair of blue silk boxers, he walked to the living room and sat down watching tv, he flipped from channel to channel with the nagging feeling he had to do something, he sighed and shut off the tv finding nothing interesting on. He walked out of the living room and after checking on the younger kids went to his own room. he turned on a white noise machine to his favorite setting- Rain, and lay down. through his bedroom window he could be seen, his room directly next to the bathroom. he was doing something he would never knowingly do if he was watched. then with a tired groan drifted into sleep. Sabyien had watched this too, with a self confusing interest. he clutched the stone when Ryo feel asleep and entered his sleeping mind. It was strange though there was nothing in the inky void of slumber, all the others he had visited dreamed, yet this youth did nothing. He traversed the darkness for a moment then called out. "Ryo?" His voice made no echo in the expanse. He yelled again louder, from off in the darkness came a quite voice.'Who's there?' it said with no noise the voice seemed to be made completely of silence. It wasn't right to Sabyien. this just all appeared wrong. This is very strange....it's like a black void in the dreamscapes. "Ryo!" He called out louder. "Who's' there?" Sabyien could barely make out the voice. He strained harder to hear. "Ryo.....Where are you?" I-I don't know... "Tell me where you are" I don't know where..... Silence. Hello? the voice began to get frantic. You still there? Sabyien focused, there...in that direction. "Keep talking, I'll be right there." Who are you? "I won't hurt you......where are you?" A whimper, It's dark... I need some light, Sabyien thought. He pushed more of his spirit into the dreamwalk, His angelic wings brightened. lighting up the darkness. "Ryo?" He stared, He had found him within the darkness of his own mind. "Ryo..." He said gently. Ryo squinted, he couldn't really see him the light was so bright. uhg! So bright! "Come here Ryo...." Timidly Ryo stepped forward, he looked like a child of barely seven years old "Who are you?" He asked his voice still made of the erie silence. Sabyien crouched down and help out his hand. "A friend, I've come to help you." "We don't need your help!" A dark voice came from behind him , Sabyien turned and saw another version of Ryo, only this one was dressed in a warriors robe. it pointed a spear at his throat, "Get out of here, you are not welcome." "Oh Lay off." Came a third voice this version of Ryo was a woman, she smiled at Sabyien. Further away from them a fourth version of the boy sat with his back to the man, two chains around his neck binding him to the ground, he was completely naked, in the darkness ahead of him was a memory being played it looked like an old movie,it was of the Day his parents died, their faces were clear as day but shadowed by flames in the back round. the chained up boy was crying blood. Sabyien took this in. Oh, I see now....His spirit is torn asunder. He Regarded the different versions of Ryo. The warrior-Ryo pushed the Child-Ryo behind him keeping him away from the intruder. "Leave him alone!" The woman-Ryo picked up the child-Ryo. "I don't think he's here to hurt us." she said. "His light is warm." She smiled. Sabyien smiled back. "Yeah, but your still not going to..." the warrior took a defensive stance in front of the others. Sabyien's smiled faded, "As you say..." She pulled a sword out the air."...Who is stronger? me or you?" He challenged. The warrior-Ryo prepared to charge forward. when Sabyien swung the sword. A flurry of white erupted from the blade, is drifted down like snow. The woman looked in surprise, "Flower petals!" Sabyien dropped the sword. "I am not here to harm you." The child-Ryo tugged at the sleeve of the warrior. "Listen to him, he's says he's a friend. Warrior-Ryo lowered the spear, The child took Sabyien's hand and lead him closer to the woman, with warrior-Ryo watching his every move, Sabyien greeted the woman-Ryo. She took his hand, kissed it, and pulled a finger into her mouth....Sabyien snatched his hand back. She smiled, her attraction showing in her eyes. "Who is the other?" Sabyien asked, turning toward the chained boy. They didn't answer. Sabyien watched the memory behind him. Scattered bits of his early life, bathed in flames. Yes that is how it was, the attack, the plane crash....and my friend's funeral "Ryo..." He knelt down, titled the boy's head up. "Ryo..." His voice caught, he remembered that day all too well. The demon had attacked the plane just as it taking off. Sabyien has been there to see the couple off. It was a miracle that he got to the plane in time to save Ryo. He was the only survivor, the young boy never remembered how he was rescued. And he had no memory of Sabyien. The chains clanked as Sabyien held the crying boy."Ryo...I'm sorry...I couldn't save them." I'll protect you now The warrior raised his spear again pointing it at Sabyien nicking his ear slightly. the warrior shouted. "HE NEEDS NO OTHER PROTECTION THAN HIMSELF!" "Oh quiet down!" the woman said pushing the warrior aside. "Sorry he gets like that when we get to close to people.It's like his knee jerk defense mechanism. But i think its time you left before you make him any madder. he can be dangerous. Sabyien turned and looked at the warrior who at the moment had the inner child version of the boy in his arms carrying him, he was whispering something in the kids ear. The boy laughed. "Why did it happen?" The chained version of Ryo whispered curling his demon like wings around himself. The others turned and looked in surprise. the woman was first to speak."That's the first time he's spoken....ever.... Trouble is coming...." "Why did it happen?" Sabyien folded his wings protectively around him, shielding them from the eyes of the others. He kissed Ryo's forehead. Time will tell The next day, Sabyien waited by the school's gate for Ryo. "He's late this morning." he looked at his watch. Ryo rode up on his bike he looked at Sabyien as if he were a passing thought and rode into the schoolyard, he climbed of his bike and chained it up collecting his back pack. Sabyien shrugged, then walked into school. There was a test today but it hardly worried him. What was his major concern was how to get all of Ryo's shattered soul together. There must be something i can do. "-ien," Something hit him on the head Huh?" He snapped to attention. The teacher had chucked a bit of chalk at him. "Please, don't sleep in my class-room." the teacher said, the other stdients gigged. "Oh, yes Sir." Saby nodded, truning red was embareasment. The test papers were handed out. Through-out the test Sabyien was aware of Ryo glancing at him now and then. He ignored it for the moment. ---- He flicked a lock of blond hair from his face. "Sabyien, Why have you come here?" The vampire tugged the collar of his coat higher against the morning sun. A smile grew on his lips. "Is it because you've found something Sabyien? " ---- Sabyien yawned and stretched, the test was a little longer then he expected. Just as well, High-school seems to get harder and harder over the years. The lunch-bell rang, Sabyien took his lunch to eat outside alone. Ryo walked out of the school slowly ignoring the crowd of other students as they rushed past him into the bright afternoon sun. "HEY LOOK OUT!" a boy yelled a bright yellow frisbee streaked towards Ryo he caught it deftly with one hand not even bothering to look. "Foolish." he muttered then hurled it back nearly taking the heads off of the other students in the process. He walked directly up to Sabyien and stared at him. "Can I help you?" Saby asked. Looking up at him from his spot under a tree an open book in his lap. "You were in my Dream last night." Ryo said simply, he pointed at Saby with an almost condemning finger. Then after an awkward silence he sat next to him. Sabyien frowned, with such an empty dreamscape...I didn't think he'd remember. "Uh...I was?" He asked, he played the clueless kid. "....."Ryo looked down at the book.Sabyien quickly closed it. "Yes, you were." Sabyien began to relax, "Lucky you have dreams." Ryo looked up into Sabyien's eyes. Sabyien held his gaze, trying to reach him. A spark of light flickered in them....the barest glimmer of attraction. "Some of us don't get to have them." Sabyien continued, turning back to his lunch. "I know. I never dreamed before either, That's why I remember it." he said opening a bottle of ice tea. "The weird thing is you had wings... Silly huh?" he said unconsciously leaning against saby and putting his head on his shoulder. Sabyien almost jumped when Ryo leaned against him. Years of avoiding intimate contact with another person,it was a shock to feel the warmth of another....a delightful shock."Yeah," Sabyien smiled, "That's silly, I'm no angel." "Do you dream?" Ryo asked, Sabyien thought for a minute, "Yes, I do...every night." "You'er lucky," he said shutting his eyes smiling, then he opened his eyes as if realizing something terrible and sat up putting his hands on his folded up legs looking at Saby "Sorry, I don't know why I just did that. I don't seem myself today." He moved himself slightly further away looking as if he were ready to burst into flames of embarrassment.'That was wrong!' he scolded himself mentally. 'First of all you know dip-shit about him, and secondly HE IS A HE... but... SHUT UP!' He stood up. "I have to go." and tried to hurry away forgetting his book bag where it lay next to Sabyien. Who couldn't help but smile, that was sad, but kinda funny. 'Great, your going soft on him. Don't forget. he has -it- inside of him. That's all that is important.' he watched Ryo run inside. 'it usually isn't this hard, why is kid so... so...' he sighed '...different?' Sabyien picked up Ryo's book bag. The sun set that evening, Sabyien was looking over the site of the new shop that will open in the plaza area of the Lazen Hotel. He sighed, Why do I put myself thought this? He wondered. Then losing interest, Sabyien walked into the main lobby of the Hotel, the soothing sounds of the water fountain calming him. Standing beside the fountainn was someone he hadn't expected to see. Seth! Sabyien's hand automatically went to his belt, where, 500 years ago, a sword was sheathed. "So, you remember me, Sabyien." The tall vampire smiled. "Yes, Seth..." Sabyien crossed his arms. Seth chuckled, "Still....how would I forget you?" His green eyes drifted hungrily over Sabyien's throat. Sabyien took a startled step back. Years ago, in pitched battle, Seth had sampled some of Sabyien's blood....and it left him hungry for more. Seth ran a hand though the water, "Have you found him yet?" When Sabyien said nothing, he continued, "He has to die you know." Sabyien still said nothing. Instead, he turned away from Seth and made his way to his rooms. The vampire watched him. You be sure to do your duty, Temphor Knight. Later, Sabyien flew into the night-sky, he would drop off Ryo's bookbag when he was asleep....right after he walked in Ryo's dreams again. Ryo still wasn't home, "Dammit wher can it be?" he said searching the school grounds for his still lost book-bag. The upstairs janitor yelled at him for being a hooligan who was most likly hell bent on vandilizing the school. he told them three times he wasn't but they didn't listen, Ryo moved on out side. "Last place I saw it was at lunch with... him." He sighed, he probably had it, he tried to remember where it was the hotel was located. Ryo turned and started towrds the school gate. there he stopped almost immobilized by a small child's gaze. "There you are..." they said a small unerving grin on their youthful face that seemed acient, and very evil. "Would you like to play a game?" Sabyien was flying through the air towards Ryo's home, he landed outside the window, it was dark inside the appartment. he walked into the building and rang the bell. there was no answer, suddenly his ears picked up Ryo's scream. He turned and dropping the bag rushed out into the night. Ryo ran, he ran as fast as he could. He could hear the demon-thing runing up behind him. The child demon grew tentcles, and whipped one at Ryo, tripping him. It wrapped it around his leg dragging him closer. Ryo screamed. A bright ribbon flicked out from the darkness, cutting a gash in the tentcle. The red ribbon whipped again, completly severing the apendage. The demon let out a howl of pain. Ryo looked up but then was blinded by a sudden flurry of white rose petals. The sound of a snapping whipp. Ryo scrambled to his feet. a famlier voice: "Get down Ryo!" Ryo cuaght a glimce of Sabyien holding several strands of long red ribbon before a swinging tenticle knocked him out cold. Sabyien pressed his attack. Whipping the ribbons to keep the demon from getting closer to Ryo. The demi-demon charged foreward "The Bearer must Die!" They shouted leaping over Sabyien and spraying him in the eyes with a strange sticky ink, he was temporarilly blinded. "Time to die!" The demon shouted ready to pounce on the unconcious boy. Sabyien wiped at his eyes with one hand ant lashed out with the other, he hit something wet, grabbed onto it and threw it as hard as he could away from the two of them. He picked up Ryo with the other hand while continuing to whipp in random directions. Sabyien grunted, Need to... He jumped up high into the air, his wings taking the wind. The demon followed. Sabyien abbaondoned the fight, fleeing on swift wings. He flew a tangle of powerlines, just barly missing them . Behind him he could hear the thing screaming as it flew into the highvoltage wires, tangling it's wings hopelessly. Sabyien landed on the patio of his apartment, breathing hard. He looked down at the form in his arms Well your safe now. He noticed the blood on his head. Need to clean that. Sabyien carried Ryo to his bed, pulled at this clothing to check if we injured anywhere else. Sabyien breathed a sigh of relief, just a bad bump on the head. Ryo stirred under him. moaning. He's going to awaken soon. Sabyien sat back in a chair. How am I going to explain this? Ryo woke up after a few moments and looked around "Where am I?" he asked looking around. Sabyien hid his wings."You passed out at school. I brought you here until you woke up." he said smiling at him calmly. Ryo sat up, his head ached. "What happened?" he asked. Sabyien sat on the bed, "What do you remember?" Ryo thought, "....something. Something strange." Ryo tried to remember the events leading up to this, Sabyien said nothing. He leaned in closer, Ryo looked up in startled reflex....and felt a cool, damp cloth being pressed to his head. He moaned feeling the coolness pressed against his head. "I don't remember to much.... you have any idea what a sword bearer is?" Sabyien tensed for a second. "No. Why do you ask?" "The last thing i recall was some freak little kid... they said something about a sword bearer then I think I blanked out." "I Think you'd better lie down for a bit more, your not really making any sense." Saby lied. "You passed out at lunch. and they told me to take you home but no one was there so I brought you to the hotel." "Thank you." Ryo said shutting his eyes. Sabyien could feel the warmth seep through the damp cloth. An odd tingle began to creep up his finger-tips. "What?" He pulled his hand away. Ryo looked up as Sabyien got up to leave the room. "Stay here for now, I will call your family." He said as he left leaving the door slightly ajar. In the living quarters, Sabyien sighed. Perhaps he was getting soft, it wasn't too long ago that he would have just have done the summoning ritual. But..... Ryo's soul must be one, otherwise the blade would be shattered once summoned. He poured himself some wine from the bar. Taking the bottle with him, he sat on the couch thinking over what he must do. Seth said that Ryo must die, Does he know something that I don't? Draining the wine, he poured another glass, The counsel must have given him orders to kill Ryo....If that's true, then I'll have to protect him from the Temphor Knights too. I can't just let them harm Ryo.... Abandoning the glass, he drank straight from the bottle. He thought of how Ryo seemed to have gotten to him, the way he had leaned into Sabyien's touch, how his own reaction was.... But would it be so wrong?...To feel...."This" for him? He rubbed his temples. There had always been some kind of attraction between the Sword-barers and I... Perhaps he should accept it. This attraction to Ryo. Sabyien titled his head back, deep blue eyes ceiling wards. The demons know that Ryo has the sword inside him, without it....this world will be theirs. Sabyien had already finished half the bottle, he was getting a little drunk. But...why would the Temphor Knights want him dead? He sighed , "I just don't get it" He said out loud." "Of chores you don't." Seth answered from the open patio doors. "Seth!" Sabyien jumped up from the couch, spilling the wine. The vampire chuckled at him. "They don't want you to know, because they don't fully trust you, Guardian." Seth ran a hand over the piano's keyboard, "They know nothing about you. You're even an enigma to me! And It -is- my duty to know every single Temphor Knight that existed...." "Why are you here Seth?" Sabyien asked, ignoring the mess he made."Have they sent you to execute me for not doing my job?" "No, I'm here to let you know that the boy's family has been kidnapped by the demons." Sabyien looked startled, "The knights have already rescued them and are being looked after in a safe place, so there's no need to worry." Seth smiled, "He's here, isn't he?" Sabyien pocketed the cloth that he had been holding, "Yes, but if you think that I'm just gonna stand by and let you....." "Shush! You offend me, I just wanted to see an old friend." He gestured to the piano. "How about it? Once more, for old time's sake?" Maybe the wine was affecting him, Sabyien sat beside Seth at the keyboard, Just how long has it been? 100 years? Both sets of immortal hands, one belonging to a Temphor Vampire and the other belonging to the eternal Knight of Balance, stroked a melody that was hauntingly beautiful. Ryo Lay in the bed somewhat awake, he heard everything going on between Sabyien and the new voice. he sat up listening to their conversation speaking to himself at a whisper. "Temphor Knight? Guardian? what the heck is going on?" he wondered to himself, a whisper voice came from inside himself from his warrior version.'Get out of here now. this is dangerous... Escape Ryo. Get the hell out of here.' He looked around the only other way out was the large windows which opened to the balcony. 'Go out there!' the voice ordered. he without second guessing it did what he was told, and opened the door without making any noise, he made his way to the railing and looked over, they were in the top floor. 'Ryo, Jump for it, You'll be alright. you'll be safe. he backed away. "I can't, I'll fall." he whispered. 'Trust me. I will protect you.' he bit his lip and turned as the music drew to a close. "Let me see the new sword bearer." came the vampire's voice. "I should like to look upon the bearer that has you so vexed." 'Get out!' the voice in his head shouted. he feeling no other choice grabbed the railing and jumped over out into space. he fell and screamed, the wind ripping the noise from his mouth as floors flashed by at a horrifying rate, he put his arms in front of his face, a strange ripple of energy slowed his desent and Ryo landed softly on the ground. He got up and after a moment of looking around looked up at where he had come from then turned and began to run as fast as he could. "He's sleeping..." Sabyien began, Seth interrupted him. "No he's not..." The vampire sniffed the air." in fact, he's not here..." "What?" Sabyien ran into the bedroom room, saw the open balcony door. "Ryo!" He didn't see anyone....He looked over the railing, his heart pounding "RYO!!" "Stop yelling, He'll be alright." Seth said, joining Sabyien. "If he's anything like us, he can't be killed by a fall." "What do you mean?" Sabyien glared at the Vampire. "You know something about Ryo that I don't right!?" Seth said nothing. Instead he prepared to jump over the rail himself. "Without you to guard him....he's fair game!" Seth grinned as he dropped to the ground. The Vampire's last words echoed through Sabyien's head. "There's no way that I'm letting him take Ryo." He leaped from the roof, it was going to be a race to reach Ryo. The boy continued to run, ignoring the angry honks of cars that swerved to avoid him or the shouts of people as he passed them. he didn't notice them, he didn't see them. only blurry shadowed figures and bright streaks of light, he ran across the bridge over the river, he kept running. 'What does this all mean?!' he screamed mentally. 'None of this makes any sense!' he ran through the large city park, and stumbled falling flat on his face. he rolled onto his back and let out a pained shout. he pulled himself up, looking around at the passer bys confused faces, he was still panicking. his eyes darted around until they fell upon a church. 'Go there!' begged a female voice, he started running again, he threw himself into the building. The vampire had the boy's trail, he followed it to a large church building. He lifted an eyebrow."How predictable, they always run onto holy ground." It didn't matter,as long as he had the Holy Grail in his keeping, he could go anywhere. He walked through the doors, it was dark. At first glance there didn't seem to be anyone around. "I know you in here." He called out. Ryo was crouched behind the nave. He looked up at the cross. praying that he wouldn't be found. "Seth!" Sabyien's voice called from the doors. While Seth had been hunting Ryo from the ground, Sabyien had followed him, knowing that the Vampire's superb sense of smell would lead him to Ryo. "He is under my protection, leave him!" Seth stopped partway down the aisle, "In defying your duty....You have made yourself an enemy of the Knights of Temphor." He smiled over his shoulder at Sabyien. "It would be an honor to fight you." Upon hearing the vampires plans for Sabyien, Ryo stood up. "Don't you even fucking Dream of it asshole." He commanded with a sound of strength and resolve in his voice he wished he had. "He dies and I die." he said picking up a knife that had been laying on the table holding it to his own throat. he didn't know why but he felt this was what he had to do. he looked past Seth to Sabyien as if begging him to do something to stop this. When Ryo had held up the knife to his own throat, It was all Sabyien could do not to jump to his aid. The vampire smirked. "Then why not just do it? It would save me the trouble." "Ryo don't!" Sabyien called out. There must be some way. Then it clicked, "Seth....If I give myself to you...would you let us go?" Seth turned to Sabyien in surprise. "What do you mean?" "If I let you drink from me, would you let me and and Ryo go?" Sabyien waited while the Vampire thought it over. "No! Don't do it Saby!" Ryo begged. pulling the knife from his throat. Seth ignored the boy, "Your willing to let me...?" Sabyien loosened his shirt, "Only if you give your word that you will leave us alone." "Sabyien!" Ryo called out again. It will be alright. Saby nodded to the boy. "Right." Seth said, walking towards Sabyien. "You have my word." Sabyien closed eyes, preparing himself. He felt his head being titled back, a firm hand on his small of his back pulling him closer, another hand pushing back his hair from his neck. He trembled when he felt Seth's breath on him....then a sudden mixture of pleasure and pain as his fangs penetrated his skin. Sabyien ground his teeth to keep from crying out. Seth was euphoric, God...I've never tasted anything so... He keep a low purring growl in throat as fed on the other immortal. Sabyien went limp in Seth's arms, he was bringing to see stars. Sabyien caught a glimpse of Ryo's face, the guilt of taking physical pleasure in this act overcame him. He made an attempt to push the vampire way. The vampire, sensing that his prey was no longer willing, let him go, Saby dropped to the floor. Seth's face was flushed, as he wiped his mouth he told them, "...You have 3 days." He left them, thinking... The guardian...has more power then all of of us! Is it possible that he knows a way to stop the Apocalypse? When Seth had finally left, Saby braced himself against one of the pews. That idiot! he took too much out of me. Sabyien weakly got up from his knees. "Ryo." No, don't look at me like that... Stars flashed behind his eyes."Ryo..." Saby hit the floor unconscious. Ryo took a final look at the man's fleeting form then rushed to Sabyien's side. "Why did you let him do that?!" he yelled knowing he was unconscious, he then pulled out his phone and dialed for an ambulance. "Please someone help, my friend was attacked. we need an ambulance!.... the church on Azure street, The fordworth church. thank you." he then sat and pulling the mans head weakened body to him cried. "Saby... Why.... why the hell did you let him do that to you. I'm not worth protection." he cried tears dripping onto the unconscious mans face. he didn't know why he was saying the part about protection, but it felt like he had to. he continued to stay in this position until the emergency response technicians appeared to take them to the hospital. "What happened?" a woman asked him while she tried to collect info from him. "A vampire attacked him, but he was really after me...." Ryo said trying to make it make sense to himself "Must be in shock." sighed the other technician "Come-on kid in the ambulance. Ryo complied fully. |