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Story
+ Angel Hunt ~ Streifen +
Future Effects
Ten years into the future, the idea sparks...
A story collaboration between Angel Hunt and Streifen
Interlude
[01]
“Enter”
He swallows hard, sliding his hand down to the knob and opening the door a moment later. The office was large and dark, washed in an orange light from the morning sun shining in through the spanning windows framing the entire room. This was the first time he’d actually been to his boss’ office, it was the first time he’d be seeing his boss up close and personal and quite frankly, it terrified him on a level he couldn’t quite explain. He takes a tentative step inside, eyes fixated on the suited figure seated on the large black leather chair at the single polished wood desk that he’s pretty sure is bigger than he and two of his college’s work stations alone.
“Close the door”
The man turns quickly at the command, nearly slamming the door shut behind him.
“S –sorry.” Umed couldn’t believe he just did that, great first impression to the Head of the Corporation. Be a bumbling buffoon, it’s one sure-fire way to get ahead. “I have the results of the most recent test, sir.”
Moving quickly towards the desk, he offers the envelope out. Black eyes look nervously into clear red, his hand shaking as he waits for his boss to take it. Cool crimson only stare at him, the calm gaze sending a cold shiver racing down his spine.
“Read it to me.”
He blinks at the words, and it takes him a moment to even register what was said. “Ye- yes sir.” Umed pulls the envelope back, eyes dropping as he fumbles to open it as quickly as he can. Pitch eyes skim the contents of the paperwork he pulls free, which was a bit pointless considering he knew what the results were even without reading. He’d helped in the research after all, but he’d just been told to read, so he would.
“Um sir?” He lifts his eyes, meeting the calm red gaze with increasingly nervous black. He really didn’t know what it was about his boss that scared him like it did. Granted there was the fact that he was the Head of both the Organization itself and the corporation that funded his paychecks and supported his very way of life. It wasn’t just that though, because in his subdivision he had little to no contact with anyone outside of genetics and he never thought much one way or another beyond his contract and the money he received. But there was a look and feel this man had that really set him on edge, that set everyone he came in contact with on edge. Christ, his boss scared the hell out of him and really wished he could just leave the test results and go.
“The blood samples we tested proved to be incompatible with the test subjects. The qualities of the genetic materials won’t blend with any known substance we have.”
“I see.”
His boss’ eyes suddenly go cold and he can’t help taking a step back. “Umm… we are still running tests sir, we haven’t stopped and won’t of course until you tell us to, but with all known species’ genetic codes, this one in particular is incompatible. It doesn’t mean that what you ask is impossible sir, we just haven’t found a way as of yet.” He wanted to leave and he wanted to leave now, he had this horrible feeling that his boss was about to jump across the table and slam him into it. But instead it was as if his boss could read his mind, because his expression softens in the slightest the moment the thoughts leave him.
“Thank you,” he says simply, and Umed can only hastily nod his head, “leave the results.” He nods again and reaches forward, setting the envelope and papers down on the desk before turning and walking a bit faster than he means to towards the door to exit a moment later, very grateful to be given leave and hoping he’ll never have to come before his boss again.
Clear crimson eyes stare at the closed door to his office for a minute before slowly shifting to the envelope before him. The Demon leans forward and reaches out to pull the paperwork towards him with the tip of his forefinger claw. Lifting the results in the slightest, he scans the writing for a brief second before tossing it back onto the desk with a sigh. Jenova turns in his chair and stands, walking to the windows of his office to stare out of the high-rise building to the city below.
After nearly ten years of research, it seemed as if they have exhausted their resources in this matter. He would not risk another mishap similar to Fuan’s with Aki so he would simply have to find another way.
Small birds chirp loudly as they hop from tree to tree a small distance away from the Demon’s balcony. Aki leans up against the ledge smiling; his eyes squinting slightly in the face of the bright afternoon sun. Jenova was nowhere to be found when the Eclipsed awoke that morning. It was unusual but Aki merely figured he had important business to attend to and would see him later on. It was nice to get a break from their normal routine of early morning training that had been rarely interrupted for the past decade or so.
Still, he never found out what business Jenova attends to when he’s gone, maintaining after all these years the fact that he probably doesn’t want to know the details in the end.
Slender arms reach out above his head as Aki stretches, quickly resuming his activity of lazily staring out at the grounds. A few more minutes go by before a familiar presence fills his senses. The Eclipsed doesn’t bother to turn around as Jenova approaches from behind; they both know the other is aware. Cerulean eyes close as the large figure wraps himself around him, the back of glass-like claws reaching up to softly graze his cheek. Aki turns his head into the Demon’s hand, placing full lips against the flesh of his palm.
Smiling, the Selestarri wraps his own arms around Jenova’s, opening his eyes to see the imported fabric sleeves of the suit the Demon wears. The blue gaze shifts back slightly to meet clear crimson eyes.
“Important business this morning?”
“Nothing of consequence…” Jenova says simply, leaning down and tilting his head in the slightest in order to brush pale lips against Aki’s. Leaning back, the Selestarri’s eyes slide shut when he completes the kiss, his heart beat quickening and hands gripping tighter on the strong arms that hold him as it slowly deepens.
The Demon pulls away, a smile forming on his lips as he slips his hands free of Aki’s slender frame, straightening and turning back towards the room behind them. Clawed fingers reach up to grasp on the tie holding his hair and he pulls it free while he walks back into the empty room they share, moving casually past their bed while long white plaits spill down his back.
The heavily carved door of the wardrobe swings open and he reaches in to pull a set of leathers free, tossing them behind him onto silk bedding without a glance spared to his actions. Reaching up, he loosens the sleek, black silk tie from his neck slightly as Aki moves back into the room himself, cerulean blue eyes fixated on Jenova’s every movement as he begins unfastening the buttons to his suit jacket. Clear crimson reflect a mild amusement while the Eclipsed continues to watch him.
“Today we will visit a place we have not been to for many years.”
Aki smiles as he makes his way over to the Demon, slender fingers reaching up to pull his silk necktie completely free. “You know, I like you in a suit, you should wear one more often.” Jenova smirks at the words while the Eclipsed continues to undress him. “It’s fun to take you out of.” Claw tips gently lift Aki’s chin up until their eyes meet once more, tilting his own head in the slightest before meeting full lips with his own. Jenova’s suit jacket hits the floor followed by Aki’s t-shirt and eventually the rest of their clothing piece by piece…
Powerful forces swirl around them as they travel, Aki clinging to the Demon tightly and never daring to open his eyes. After a few minutes everything dies down and the Eclipsed feels Jenova’s grip on him loosen once his feet hit solid ground. Cerulean eyes crack open to reveal a vast valley below them, beyond the cliff face the stand on.
The Borders remained unchanged as they always did, the activity of Heaven and Hell constantly diminishing over time. It didn’t make it any less beautiful to see, however, and every time Jenova brings him here, he is always amazed. Behind them, the ruins of the Demon’s city also remain untouched, protected over the centuries by Jenova’s seal. Unruly ivy and birds the only residents within.
The clawed grip releases the Eclipsed slowly, the Demon turning to walk to the edge of the cliff, looking out over the landscape far below. Aki joins him by his side, looking up into crimson eyes curiously.
“You’re right, we haven’t been here in years. I forgot how beautiful it was.”
Red eyes shift to the side in the very slightest, the barest traces of a smile forming on pale lips. In one swift movement that Aki barely has time to register, Jenova turns and wraps clawed fingers around his slim waist, lifting him suddenly off his feet. The Demon spins the Eclipsed around once and in one strong swing, flings him from the cliff.
“OH SHI---!!” Aki manages as he finds himself suspended only momentarily before his body begins plummeting towards the Borders far below. Jenova smirks, staring at the Selestarri’s falling form for only a moment before turning and taking a few casual strides back towards the city.
The Demon stops and turns, heavily buckled leather boots carrying him swiftly towards the cliff’s edge to take one strong leap off just as silver wings unseal beneath him. Snow colored plaits whip up behind him as he twists himself around during the fall, closing his eyes to enjoy the wind raging around his body for a few seconds before reopening them to focus in on Aki’s form and the wings glinting softly in the bright sunlight streaming down from above.
He grins, shifting the air behind him to unseal large, iridescent, pitch black wings. His body is pulled up harshly as he spreads them to their limits before folding them flat against his back to allow himself to fall once again. Jenova crosses his arms over his chest and arches back, smiling as he begins to spin during his descent, continuing to enjoy the sensations of the wind and clean air moving around him for a few moments longer. The Demon stops his movements and unfolds his wings to catch an updraft, his head whipping up and red eyes re-focusing in on the tiny figure flying in the distance before him. Letting his hand fall to his side, the elongated katana forms in his palm with one quick snake of light and he begins moving swiftly towards the Eclipsed.
Aki grins wickedly as he races ahead… he knows this game all too well. Jenova must either be really bored or stressed about something in order to bring them here just to swordplay. He isn’t complaining though, there is very little that compares to the sensation of flying though such clean air over something as beautiful as the Borders. The Eclipsed takes a second to glance behind him, eyes widening immediately as he spreads his wings to catch an updraft, barely moving away from Jenova in time as the Demon’s katana comes flying at him.
The air around him shifts as Aki calls his own sword into his hand, shaking his head before folding silver appendages behind him and diving back down after Jenova. Sparks fly as metal meets metal briefly before he slides past when the Eclipsed continues to drop in his decent. Flipping back around, blue eyes close as he’s pushed from the sudden impact of Jenova’s sword meeting his own once more. Honed senses through years of training alert him to when the Demon moves in for another strike, even during flight. Weapons meet over and over, Aki barely throwing Jenova off each time. It had been a while since they fought in the air and he was a bit out of practice.
The Eclipsed breaks off and soars upwards, squinting against the sun as he reaches higher. He slows and spreads his wings out fully, casting a shadow on the black-winged figure below him before turning and gliding back towards the cliff top. Jenova catches up quickly, matching his position just beneath him. Spinning his body, Aki starts a direct dive down to meet the Demon head on, sword readied for his own strike. Chestnut hair flies away from the Eclipse’s face in all directions as he races down as fast as he can manage.
Their weapons meet with enough force to stop Aki dead in the air, the impact radiating through every nerve painfully. If his sword had been normal metal, it would have shattered instantly upon impact, along with his arms. Jenova only gives him moments to recover before pulling away to return the strike.
Aki grits his teeth against the high pitched sound as the Demon’s katana slides free of his blade, his eyes widening in the slightest when glass-like nails wrap around the thin fabric of his shirt. Jenova grips down, folding his wings to spin him in the air before tossing him towards the ground below. The Eclipse’s eyes close automatically as he impacts, his body sliding back a few paces against the ground before skidding to a halt. Breathing heavily, Aki barely has time to reopen his eyes when the Demon comes at him again and he swings up, blocking the blow at the last second possible. Fiery crimson eyes stare down briefly before he pulls back and strikes again. Aki blocks the path of the Demon’s blade, rolling his body out of the way as fast as he can manage in order to pull himself up onto his feet. Black and silver wings reseal only a moment from each other as the Selestarri turns back in time to meet the katana once more.
Jenova smiles and twists his weapon around, ripping Aki’s bastard sword free of his hands and tossing it towards the city before dropping his own to his side. Gold flecked blue flick between the Demon before him and the city barrier behind where his sword lies. Jenova only smirks, eyes reflecting amusement while he waits motionless for Aki to make his move.
Aki grins and darts suddenly off towards his weapon, pulling amused laughter from pale lips as he runs as fast as he can, reaching his arm out midway to the border. Recalling his sword, it appears in his hand and he swerves to his right just as the Demon’s blade flies past his head, severing a few strands of mid-length chestnut locks in the process. The Eclipsed is only given a moment to spin his body around and block the returning blow before Jenova begins forcing him back towards the city behind them. Blow for blow, Aki struggles to match the larger man’s swings, the sensation of strong magic wrapping around him momentarily as they move past the barrier and into the ruins beyond.
Aki fights to keep his footing as he steps backwards over fallen stone columns and broken marble. He was almost at his limit and sweat streaked down the sides of his face, making it hard to see. Jenova steers them through the winding paths that ultimately lead to the center temple and by the time the Eclipse’s foot hits the first stone step his eyes have gone completely gold. He can no longer attack, only defend against the Demon’s constant onslaught. The stronger magic of the second barrier hits him as he passes beyond the columns that mark the temple entrance. Aki drops to the ground and sweeps his leg out to knock Jenova off his feet in a last ditch effort to gain an advantage. The Demon hits the ground in a flurry of white hair and laughter, catching claw tips into the Eclipse’s jeans while he falls to pull the smaller man down with him. Their swords fly off to the side as they both topple, each weapon skidding across marble tiling before finally coming to a halt a few feet away.
Aki falls hard onto his back, eyes shutting on contact and he lies still in order to catch his breath. Clear crimson stare down at his features as the Demon crawls over the Eclipse’s prone form before pale lips slide down to brush lightly against Aki’s, slender fingers immediately reaching up to lock into snow colored hair, pulling Jenova closer to complete the kiss.
Glass like claws slide under the Selestarri’s back and he’s lifted towards the man above, long legs straddling the Demon while he sits them both up. His fingers slide from white strands of hair and down over warm leather to quickly pull buckles free, only breaking from the kiss in order to tear the top free. Aki tosses it to the side, his head falling back and soft moan escaping his lips when sharp fangs bite playfully along his collarbone through the thin fabric of the sweat-dampened tee draped over his form. His head rolls back down, a breathless gasp leaving him and hands flying to broad shoulders as the sound of fabric tearing reaches his ears only a moment later when his pants are torn from him…
Cerulean blue eyes stare out contently into the ruined city, his fingers combing idly through the white plaits of the Demon laying against his chest. Aki sits propped up against the cool marble tile near the Temple entrance, the sun shining down and warming both himself and the form sitting in between his legs, both men simply enjoying the quiet surrounding them.
Aki’s gaze shifts to the side and the discarded remnants of his clothing and he smiles before looking back down to the Demon’s bare chest and un-damaged leather pants draping muscular legs, shaking his head in the slightest with a sigh. His fingers stop the movements and slide free of Jenova’s hair, the Eclipsed leaning down and slipping his arms around the Demon’s neck to embrace him.
“The bill for my clothes must be crazy,” Aki’s words pull a soft chuckle from pale lips. “Considering how much they get destroyed…”
“Simply walk naked…” Jenova grins, “And I would not have to dispose of them in order to reach what is contained within.”
“Har har,” Aki squeezes the Demon’s neck a little tight with a smirk, “I noticed yours always manage to stay in perfect shape. How does that happen I wonder?”
Crimson eyes shift up, amusement showing in his gaze, “I cannot say. Luck perhaps?”
Both men break out in soft laughter and clawed fingers slide up to thread into chestnut locks as their amusement dies. Jenova arches back in the slightest, pulling Aki down towards him to meet full lips with his own.
Breaking away a moment later, the Demon leans forward, easing away from Aki’s hold and slipping free. He pulls himself to his feet, red eyes locked with the city beyond for a moment before shifting back to meet the questioning blue beneath him. He stares down at the Eclipsed for another moment before turning and moving towards the entrance without a word, bending low to scoop the leather top up and toss it next to the man behind him, not stopping as he strides casually past the doorway and into the temple.
Finagling the leather around his waist to cover himself, Aki rises and follows the Demon, stopping to grab the discarded fabric of his pants as well. Using what he can in order to add to the leather, he shakes his head. He really needs back up clothing at all times because Jenova enjoys ripping his off far too much.
Aki joins the Demon at the top near the portal that rests between several engraved stone tablets, sliced in two by Jenova’s katana all those years before. A confused expression crosses his face while he watches the Demon blankly stare into the center. He knows what the portal means, but he doesn’t understand why Jenova would willingly force himself to remember what took place here.
Walking to the side, the Eclipsed kneels down in front of one of the felled tablets, touching lightly at the engraved script written in the Demon’s own language. He didn’t know the complicated symbols, but he’d learned enough to translate the general meaning written within.
These are the words that bound Jenova into his physical form against his will, the words that gave him the anger that fueled him to destroy his own people. Aki shakes his head and stands, his eyes falling back to the Demon still staring into the center blankly.
“Something’s on your mind today… right?”
“It no longer opens…” Quiet liquid words barely carry beyond pale lips. He remains still as the Eclipsed moves to his side, his gaze still locked on the round stone inset beneath him.
“…when?” Aki asks, blue eyes rising to meet clear crimson.
“Three years prior, it opened for the final time.” The Demon’s gaze shifts back to the circular recess and he stares at it for a moment longer before turning and moving away. Walking to the rounded marble stairs, Jenova takes a step down before seating himself and leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees.
“The only pathway of this One’s origin has closed,” he says softly, his eyes narrowing as he stares out to the ruined city beyond the temple entrance. “Though it has been many years since I have seen form, it is… almost unsettling that it would hold any substance within my thoughts…”
The Eclipsed joins Jenova seated on the steps. “It’s understandable, you can’t be expected to simply forget your origins, it’s part of who you are. Even if the circumstances surrounding you leaving that life and beginning this one were… unfavorable, it’s still… you.” Aki looks up into clear crimson eyes as they shift to the side to meet his. “As incredibly happy as I am with you, I would still be sad if my ability to go back to the Eyrie was taken away completely. It doesn’t mean I plan to ever leave, but I like that the option for me to go back home is there if I ever needed it. So much of me is there as well as here with you, just like part of you is still there where you originally came from.”
Aki continues, “I imagine it must be similar for Ikkairius. As much as he doesn’t want to deal with the Bright, I know he misses not being a part of them anymore, unable to truly go back home.” He turns to look out into the city beyond the doorway before them. “Even if you live mainly in the present, your past is still important.”
“It is the past that defines us…” Jenova says quietly, his gaze sliding away from the Eclipsed and back to the temple entrance, “just as it is the present that solidifies that definition of our very selves through our actions and it is the future that remains uncertain and open to the possibility of change.” Aki slides his head back to stare up at the Demon, a look of curiosity and slight confusion written on his features. Long minutes stretch on before he speaks again, clear red once again meeting cerulean blue, “Life remains an uncertainty, and we are at the mercy of the flow of time just as we are locked within the flesh that holds us. But there is one thing I will control the surety of Aki, and that is for you to remain by my side …should you so choose it.”
A half smirk forms on Aki’s lips and he rises, stepping over Jenova’s legs to straddle him while moving in close to speak directly into the Demon’s mouth. “If you don’t know my answer to that by now, then you don’t know me at all…”