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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
[02]
Sighing, the Ancient Bright lifts his head. He closes his eyes and leans against the back of his chair carefully, giving the Gioa crystal time to adjust to the pressure. It was hard enough remembering the dead language, but this was written in an older dialect than he knew. The grammar and sentence structure were completely off. Ikkairius lifts his teacup to his lips, unable to even take a sip before his senses are interrupted, pulling a small annoyed scowl quickly to his features.
Lovely, Mr. tall, pale and imposing was coming closer. The Demon never comes down this way unless he wants something only the Ancient Bright can provide, and he only does that once he’s exhausted all other options, meaning he would have little choice in the end to concede to whatever it was he would be asking. He doesn’t have time for this, the magic holding the book together was unraveling by the hour.
Ikkairius opens his eyes and weaves a small pattern unlocking his door to allow the Demon in. Not that Jenova couldn’t get in otherwise, he just preferred not to have to replace his door if truth be told. As if on cue, the Demon enters the Ancient Bright’s room, not making it much past the doorway before he halts his movements. It was pointless to offer him tea as this was obviously not going to be any form of social call.
“What is it you need of me?”
Clawed fingers shut the door behind him without a backwards glance, emotionless crimson eyes meeting mauve as he speaks.
“I wish you to tell me the properties of that item you posses and how it has allowed you to continue your life for the years it has,” Jenova says matter-of-factly.
Ikkairius sighs and brings his hand up to his temples. He knew one day it would come to this, he also knows that asking the Demon for his intentions with the artifact would be just as futile as offering him tea would have been.
“As far as I am aware, the Gioa crystal is a storage unit… of sorts. It is of Valcaerien make and was seized from a battleship during the wars, but I am sure that is information you do not care for. It seems it was created for storage of both items and lives. You seem to be under the assumption that it has continued my life beyond the natural lifespan, it has not. I am still living my natural lifespan but it has only been interrupted by the crystal when I’ve gone into stasis. It is the same if I were to bring others into it. All life is frozen in time and does not continue until awoken. I am unaware if it will have any effect on the number of years I am awake for in the end.”
Ikkairius adjusts his robe and crosses his legs, returning Jenova’s emotionless gaze. “I can only speculate why you would have interest in these properties but seeing as anything involving the crystal effects my own life, I would like to be privy with what you plan on doing with it.”
“This One is aware that you do not fully understand the complete properties of that item, and also that perhaps you are curious to its full potential as you are joined with it for the entire span of that life of yours.” The Demon folds his arms over his chest and leans back against the wall, “I propose a… trade of sorts. I wish you to give me a shard of it for study and in return, I will share with you all information I attain regarding it through its research.”
Ikkairius mentally applauds Jenova’s ability to avoid giving direct answers. “I will accept your proposition, but only if you inform me of what it is you plan to do with the shard before we begin. I do not doubt your ability to discover its secrets but it will already be a great risk to divide it. I do not know how it will react and I will not lay my own life down for something frivolous.”
The Demon quirks an eyebrow, silent for a moment before answering, “I need it for similar usage as you have done. To elongate a life, or at the very least, to keep it stored until I have found a way to elongate it myself.” He smirks, “or to put it simply in terms you will understand, I am in need of time. That item will provide it to me just as I will provide you with keys to unlock its secrets in return for it.”
The Ancient Bright does not like where this is going and Jenova’s skirting of answers points to one possibility, he only hopes his assumption isn’t correct. “I will continue on either way, knowing or not. Is the life you plan to elongate with it Aki’s?”
The Demon’s silence answers his question.
Ikkairius rises from his chair immediately, closing the distance between them and Jenova merely stares at him without moving a muscle as he steps in close. Anger is evident in the Ancient Bright’s tone as he speaks. “Neither you or the boy understand what this will do to him. You have no comprehension of what you are asking. This magic is not compatible with our own. The crystal is a curse, not a blessing. Have you discussed this with him? I would not wish this fate on my enemies let alone young Akio. The physical effects aside, death is not the end for us nor is it feared among the Selestarri, it is a natural progression that is part of our lifecycle.” He turns away, knowing his words are lost on the Demon. Jenova’s selfishness will always override what is best, even for those he claims to love.
Ikkairius continues anyway, “The magic is not compatible, Akio will be in constant pain for the rest of his life. Every nerve will burn, releasing his wings or sealing them will be excruciating. His magic will fight it constantly, it may even shorten his life. Our own magic that keeps us living the lifespan we do is what eventually consumes us as well.” He lowers his head. “The crystal also has other effects as well...”
The Ancient Bright’s form shimmers and shifts, falling down on all fours. Ikkairius’ robes fall off his body as it shrinks slightly and morphs into that of a winged caracal. The large cat turns back to the Demon looking up at him with slit-pupil mauve eyes, his thoughts directed to the man before him.
[I was locked into this form for years. This is a manipulation of my own magic by the crystal’s, I do not know what effect it will have on Akio’s.]
Crimson eyes stare down at the Ancient Bright’s caracal form and a small smirk forms on his lips, “Your experience is your own and will not be the same as the boy’s. Your physiology, while similar is not the same as his and therefore will not be affected the same. A shard is all I ask, and a shard is not the entirety therefore I am confident that these traumas you speak of will not be carried to him.” The Demon unfolds his arms and pushes away from the wall, straightening a moment later as his tone goes a bit icy, “The choice to remain near my person has been made by him and so I will do what is within my capabilities to ensure it remain so. I am not asking you, I am telling you. You will give me a shard of that crystal and in return I will give you the results I attain from its research. It is simple Ikkairius, do not complicate it with your melodramatic nonsense.”
Ikkairius lays sphinx-style on the floor and stares up at Jenova. [You most of all should know the mental toll living an extended life will have. I do not expect Akio to be able to… handle it as well as yourself and still remain the same person in the end. You are easily capable of isolating yourself from others. Aki is not. How do you think he will handle it when those he cares for die around him year after year? I do not think the boy understands what he has agreed to and I believe if you were to inform him how you plan to go about extending his life he would have reservations. I will not put Akio’s life at risk if he does not know what these risks are. You will allow me to inform him of all the possible dangers this might entail and if he still… chooses to go through with it then I will willingly provide. If he does not agree or you do not allow me to discuss this with him, then you will have to kill me in order to obtain the crystal. I do not fear death by your hand as I do not fear death in general So should it be given to me, it will be you that will have to explain to him why the artifact is no longer attached to my person.]
The Demon squats down, resting his arms casually on his knees as the barest trace of a smile forms on his lips, “Your resilience is mildly amusing nursemaid, but will do little good in the end. You may tell the boy what you wish, I am confident the choice he made will remain the same regardless of any hesitations or reservations that this knowledge will bring.”
Claw-tipped fingers reach out so suddenly that Ikkairius barely has time to blink before he finds the Demon’s hand wrapped around his neck. Jenova tilts his head in the slightest, forcing the Ancient Bright’s head slowly to the side while red eyes move over his features to examine the creature in his grip. He smirks and releases his grip, straightening to a stand a moment later and stare down at the cat-like being beneath him. “You would do best to adopt this form more often. It suits you far better than the skin you normally wear…” An amused laugh leaves Jenova’s mouth and he turns, opening the door to Ikkairius’ room and exiting without bothering to close it behind him. The sound of heavy leather boots grows softer as he disappears down the vast hallway beyond.
The large cat coughs violently as air fills his lungs once again. The Demon has done nothing but prove to him that his intent in this matter is purely selfish. It will not surprise him if it takes his own death in order to retrieve the crystal from him. This is not what bothers him though… He was not bluffing when he told Jenova he does not fear it, it is only the rare Selestarri that does. What bothers him is that man’s disregard for what is right when faced with what he desires.
Stupid boy, he does not know what he has condemned himself to with this Demon.
Ikkairius slowly rises from the floor and walks to his door, pressing it closed with a paw. Not bothering to shift back, the Ancient Bright hops up onto his bed and settles in to nap.
He was in no mood to be reading now.
[BIND HIM!]
Pain… form brings pain… excruciating, blinding. Only pain, unending.
Hatred for what was done. Hatred to be contained. Hatred for taking his freedom.
[It’s not possible! He’s breaking free – bind him, bind him quickly!]
There is only pain. There is only hate. There is only death.
[screaming]
[I would have stayed by your side forever…]
And this One would have kept you.
[Can you forgive me? Forgive me my weakness, forgive me for dying. Forgive me for leaving you alone…]
There is nothing to forgive. I will correct their wrong. I will return what they stole from you. I will sacrifice all that I am if need be and I will love you forever.
There is only pain. There is only hate. There is only death.
Yet there is my love for you.
[sobbing]
Clear crimson slowly open to the darkness of the surrounding room, dawn still many hours away. Jenova narrows his eyes as he stares up into the gauze coverings above, mildly annoyed that these particular memories continue to rise to the surface of his mind, even while he sleeps.
The destruction of his people by his hand… Fuan’s death caused indirectly by his hand, and his rebirth that will inevitably lead him down the same path as before, once again – caused by his hand.
Aki shifts at his side, pulling Jenova’s attention down to the man in his arms. A soft smile forms on pale lips as he studies the youthful features of the Eclipse’s sleeping face.
Another has chosen to remain by his side, one he found worthy. He has never been one to make his decisions lightly and the boy’s strength of character has proved his decision to be thus far, correct. His love is not wasted. The smile fades and he slides his fingers down to wrap around Aki’s wrist and carefully pull his arm free of his body. The Demon slips himself out from under the sleeping Selestarri, white plaits spilling forward as he pulls the heavy down comforter back up over Aki’s form before removing himself from the bed.
His footfalls and movements are silent as he walks to the French patio doors, slipping outside into the crisp pre-dawn air. He doesn’t bother to fully tie the black linen kimono draped over his muscular frame as the wind blows it lazily behind him. Red eyes stare out into the darkened sky as if it were clear as day, lost in thought.
The nursemaid is correct, however. He knows this; he did not need to be told. The boy cannot fully comprehend what continual life will bring and whether he has it in him to see it until the end remains to be seen.
Only time will tell if Aki has the strength needed to remain by his side.
Ikkairius would do well to explain the entirety of this to the Eclipsed. He himself will not force life on the boy, he will not sway him one way or the other. He will leave himself free of the final decision. If Aki chooses life, then he will provide it. If he chooses death, then so be it. He will allow it.
He no longer sees only hatred. He no longer feels only pain.
There is reason. There is life. There is love.
He will love forever, even if the boy cannot.
He will not regret.
Jenova’s head slowly drops, his eyes moving to the darkened grounds below. He remains still, simply waiting for dawn to approach, not moving in the slightest as the wind continues to blow long white plaits around him.
Cerulean eyes crack open when the dawn light begins to shine through the windows of the large empty room. Aki shivers slightly under the heavy covers when a crisp breeze blows over him. Searching for the source of the chill, the Eclipsed watches for a moment while Jenova stands unmoving out on the balcony beyond, white plaits and loose kimono whipping around him in the wind.
Aki gathers up one of the thick blankets and braves the cold to wrap it around himself and inch his body out of bed, shuffling his way across the hardwood floor to the balcony and Jenova’s side soon after. Clear crimson continue to stare out into the grounds without notice but his eyes had the same distance in them as they did the day before when the Demon had been staring at the closed portal.
“Are you still thinking about the Temple?”
“I am not,” Jenova says quietly, his gaze remaining locked to the grounds outside for a moment longer before finally shifting.
The Demon reaches out to his side, sliding his fingers along the Eclipse’s back in a path to narrow shoulders covered by thick down. He pulls Aki around to face him, wrapping his other arm around the smaller body and embraces him. Aki smiles and leans his forehead against the Demon’s chest, blue eyes closing while he’s held. The minutes stretch on and Jenova remains silent, simply keeping Aki close to him while the light of dawn slowly breaks through the horizon, washing over them in a soft orange glow.
“I have perhaps found a way…” the Demon’s words startle the Eclipsed from the quiet and he reopens his eyes, pulling his forehead from Jenova’s chest to look up into clear red eyes, “…but there are risks…”
A slight look of confusion moves over Aki’s features, “A way? To do what?” He thinks for a moment before it finally clicks. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You’ve looked for a way to keep me by your side indefinitely…”
His thoughts jumble at the prospect, he had never truly thought… he wasn’t sure what he thought because it never occurred to him it could actually happen. Living by Jenova’s side until his death or until the Demon decided he no longer wanted him there had always been his plan but actually extending his life never even entered the equation before. The Eclipsed wasn’t quite sure how he felt about it.
“How? What risks?”
“The how remains to be seen…” Jenova slides one arm away from Aki’s body, reaching up to brush long chestnut bangs from cerulean blue with the very tips of his claws. He narrows his eyes, tilting his head as he watches his fingers trace along the Eclipse’s face, down the contours of his skin and over full lips before pulling his hand away. The Demon slides his other arm free and moves away from Aki, turning back towards the room and speaking as he goes, “as for the risks, you would do better to learn of them from that guardian of yours as he will be providing the source…”
Aki nods cautiously as he follows Jenova back into the room.
“Enter.”
The Eclipsed jumps slightly at the voice that interrupts him as he is about to knock. Reaching for the handle, Aki opens the door slowly and peers in to find Ikkairius just sitting down to his morning tea.
“It seems your Demon means to follow through…” He waves the young Selestarri in and offers him a seat, weaving a small pattern in the air and placing a second teacup down after it materializes. Aki looks up at the Ancient Bright in slight confusion as he sits.
“Apparently you two have been talking?”
Ikkairius scoffs. “’Talking’ is not the term I would use. Jenova’s form of negotiation leaves much to be desired in the end. But yes, he presented himself last night to my quarters and we partook in a short discussion. Are you aware of why, Aki?”
He shakes his head. “Not exactly, Jenova said he figured out a way to… extend my life, I suppose. That you were the source and I should speak with you about the risks.”
“Fitting that he should leave out the details,” the Bright speaks into his teacup before taking a sip. “Yes, your Demon plans to keep you alive and by his side indefinitely beyond your natural lifespan. He came to myself last night inquiring about the properties of the Gioa crystal and how it has allowed me to live beyond my years. He wishes to buy time with a portion if it so that he may keep you in some form until he can devise a way to leave you both awake and alive. I told him in so many words the he was an idiot and he promptly removed my illusion of choice in the matter all together.”
The Eclipsed moves to open his mouth and Ikkairius extends a finger asking for Aki’s silence while he continues, “I also told him that once fully informed of the risks involved that should you still choose what he desires then I shall comply willingly with his request, but only then. Otherwise he would be forced to explain to you why the crystal was in his possession free of my bodily attachment.” Aki nods slightly waiting for him to finish, unsure of what to make of it all.
“Beyond what my involvement will mean, do you understand what he is asking of you Aki? Do you understand the mental toll that living beyond your expected lifespan by hundreds if not thousands of years will take? I do not expect you to know the answer however I wish for you to think on it extensively when we are done speaking. You will be bound to him until your body is consumed, even then, death its self has not stopped him from keeping what he claims as his. Eviternity [**] will be lost to you as it is most likely lost to me. Those you care for will be out of reach forever once they have gone. You must be prepared should you choose this path.” The Ancient Bright gives his words a moment to sink in before continuing.
“The Gioa crystal, as you are aware, stops all life processes when one is placed into it. You are frozen in time until awakened once more. This is merely the first in the processes that he may have planned for you. What you may not be aware of is the physical burden it bears.” Ikkairius sips his tea. “Valcaerien magic is not compatible with our own and while this artifact has fused its self permanently with my being, my body continues to reject it painfully even after so many years. I do not seal my wings as it would be excruciating to release them. It has perverted my own magic locking me for years in that feline form you saw from me many times when we were first acquainted. The flesh surrounding this fusion is untouchable for decades at the very least. I cannot even begin to comprehend what fracturing the crystal will do to either myself or you should you become host to it…”
“I won’t risk your life for this, Ikkairius, it’s not worth it,” Aki interjects.
A faint smirk crosses the Ancient Bright’s lips, “There is little choice for me in the end and your wishes will only carry so far once he is determined. My life means little to him where as yours… You may be able to ultimately deny his use of the crystal on your person but it will be divided for research no matter the cost to myself. Jenova would not choose to risk not having options where your life is concerned.”
Confusion and hurt cross Aki’s features, “This isn’t what I wanted… I don’t even know where to begin with it…”
“Your main concern should not be with my life but your own. In the end only you can sway him but this particular matter is closed, it will be done. All I ask is that you think on what I have said, alone.”
The Eclipsed nods solemnly.
The wind blows through mid-length chestnut hair as Aki sits alone on the roof staring up into the sky. He doesn’t know, he just doesn’t know. The thought of losing his place in Eviternity hits him hard. Death was never the end for a Selestarri but if he never died, what then? Could he handle seeing those he loves leave him forever? But could he handle being away from Jenova permanently once he did move to the afterlife? The confliction was beginning to upset him.
And Sashi… he would never be able to see Sashi again once the Dark’s body was consumed by his magic. Risking Ikkairius’ life was also something he did not want to see happen. When there was nothing left in the world but himself and Jenova, could he handle it? Aki can’t even begin to comprehend how the Demon has kept his sanity through the millennia, but he supposes the physical embodiment of chaos was never entirely sane to being with.
Fuck.
He wants to be by Jenova’s side, forever, he can’t imagine not doing so but this was… complicated.
Aki is so wrapped up with his thoughts that he fails to notice the presence behind him. He jumps in the slightest as the Demon steps to his side, cerulean blue eyes shifting over to stare up at the tall figure standing beside him. Long, snow colored plaits blow gently around him as the wind breezes past the pair, crimson eyes staring out ahead towards the grounds far below.
“The choice will be yours in the end Akio…”
The Eclipsed turns his head back to face forward, “Risking Ikkairius’ life was not what I wanted. Please don’t force him to do this.” Jenova remains silent and the moments of quiet drag on between them before Aki finally speaks again. “Death is not final for us but if I never die… and then if I do. Either way someone I care about will be taken from me permanently. I know you may not have the means to extend my life right now, but the crystal may be enough to remove those options. Though if I were to die tomorrow, the same problems would still be there. I would go to Eviternity, but be lost from you. I guess I just never sat down and thought about it all before.” He shakes his head and Jenova remains silent as he continues.
“The threat of physical pain does not scare me; it’s what the future holds that does. I had always planned to stay by your side as long as you allowed me or until my life ended. Extending it by a few years may not matter, but once time drags on, I risk being cut off from my home completely.” He turns to meet clear crimson eyes with his own. “If I am content with you, it will not matter, but as with you finding that the portal to your original home has closed permanently, it would be the same for me.”
The Demon stares down into light blue eyes for a moment before his gaze shifts back to the grounds, his words quiet and tone soft, “There will come a day when Fuan sees death once more. There will come a day when one I love is taken from me forever. I do not look forward to seeing this yet it is inevitable due to my own negligence and I can do nothing more to change it. I owe Fuan a debt, one that I am incapable of repaying. A mistake I have tried time and time again to correct, one that he must suffer through while I can do nothing more than look on and see it to it’s end.”
Jenova sighs softly, narrowing his eyes, “I would not repeat the same mistake with the other I love. This One desires nothing but you Aki, by my side… until the end of time if need be… it is all I require, but…” Crimson eyes shift down to his side, meeting cerulean once more, “I am also fully aware that you are not this One, and that perhaps death is not an end as it is for myself, but a beginning. You must decide what it is you truly need. I will not force life upon you, this is not my intention, though I will give it to you should you ask it of me...”
Aki nods, looking down towards his feet. He pulls his knees up to wrap his arms around them. “I never thought this would be such a hard decision to make. I know I want to be with you, indefinitely… but that’s all I know. Anything beyond that is confusing the fuck out of me and I don’t know where to even begin with it all.” He smirks, “Though I don’t suppose I could truly ever go home anyway, I would be miserable without you.” Aki stands up slowly and turns to face Jenova, pulling himself close and resting his forehead on the Demon’s chest. Claw-tipped fingers slide up and wrap around Aki’s waist to hold him, the Eclipse’s pause only momentary before he speaks again.
“You. In the end, I will always choose you. I want to be by your side, I can’t imagine ever not being.” He looks up, “But I will not risk another’s life for it, there has to be another way or path to take.”
“There are risks in everything we do.” Jenova looks calmly into the Eclipse’s eyes, a look of reservation moving slowly over youthful features while the Demon continues, “This one is no exception. Your guardian has offered us his assistance in this matter in exchange for information, both of which I have agreed to as I have the necessary tools to attain it without harm to the host. A shard is being extracted as we speak.”
Aki looks away, clearly disappointed. “I wish that didn’t have to happen… I know you offered Ikkairius little choice in the matter and that’s not something he had to tell me.” His voice goes quiet, “That’s not what I wanted at all. I want no part of something that will hurt him…”
The Demon pulls his hands away and steps back in the slightest, sliding his fingers up to wrap around the Eclipse’s chin, gently pulling his face back, “Do you think me so callous that I would ignore your attachment to your guardian altogether hm? Do you think I would allow harm to come to him when I know the harm this would indirectly cause you? So should there be no hurt, what part would you play your hand in this then Aki?”
He nods slightly. “I know, I’m sorry, I just… I would never forgive myself if something happened to him because of me. I want to make sure he is ok before anything else happens.”
Ikkairius awakes slowly with a low groan, his mind fuzzy with the after effects of the wards and containment spells placed over him soon after he had been taken.
He really disliked that Demon; it was only minutes after Aki left his room that Jenova arrived. The last thing he could remember was being rather annoyed and staring at those apathetic red eyes while something in what was probably Ancient Demonic was spoken from pale lips.
The Ancient Bright pushes himself up slowly; at least Jenova had the common decency not to place him on his back upon returning. Mauve eyes blink a few times, washing the haze from his vision, his head ached and he didn’t even want to begin describing how his back felt at the moment. Looking slowly around his chambers, his attention is immediately grabbed by a plain manila envelope placed on his tea table. Rising carefully from the bed, Ikkairius makes his way over and slowly sits down. He stares at it in silence for a moment before opening the envelope and pulling out its contents…
[**] Selestarri Afterlife