Chapter 1
By: Malika
Warnings: Extremly AU. Yaoi-ness, bad language, torture, possible rape, and weirdness.
General disclaimers apply. Ain't mine, ain't going to be mine, don't bother to sue 'cause ya' ain't going to get anything worth while. 2*5, 3*4, and ideas for Heero?
Summary:In the age of magic and darkness four countries are formed in the blood of war. The four countries unite in an unholy Alliance to prevent the uprising Romefellar Foundation. Over time the Alliance begins to falter with the birth of a younger generation nobles, for one of these nobles has betrayed them and formed the organization called Oz with the help of the Romefellar Foundation. Now with a new power, this noble seeks the destruction of the Shadows, the most powerful of all the mages. What if three of the five Shadows were the remaining nobles? What if their life was in the hands of the two other Shadows, a loud thief and a silent mercenary? The world's fate depends on the success of these five Shadows. Will they unite into an unstoppable force or will the fall to the rubble of the old world?
The shagged figure rubbed his grimy palms together in the darkness of the shadow in which he waited. He snorted once cursing the nights cold and wrapped the patched cloak tighter around his slim figure. The draft of the night streamed in from the outer streets making the alleys colder in their dank puddles of pestilence. The figure brushed back a bead of sweat from his brow.
The waiting was getting to him. Rubbing his arms slightly he shifted uncomfortable. His fingers twitched and ached for action. A door slam echoed through the narrow alley and the figure stiffened with its sound. He must not be found until he finished what he came for.
A grimy man covered in greasy stains shoved his weight out the door and sloshed dirty dishwater unto the dirt ground. The man, presumably a cook, sniffed and wiped the free forming snot from his nose. The burly man shoved his heavy weight back the through the door and the light it offered faded.
The figure in the shadows sighed with relief of not being caught. Smiling grimly the self named Shinigami crouched down lower, it was almost time to run. Rumor on the street was the two nobles were in town. Knowing the backstabbing nobles as well they did, he wouldn't let the chance of getting rid of at least one of them. Shinigami smirked, not like anyone outside the noble families would actually care if one of the bastards was dead.
Another slam of a door, this one provided no light. He cursed and palmed his knives silent staking towards the alley entrance. He peered around the corner and cursed again. They were coming ahead of schedule! He raised one of the blades to the air and reflected back thanking one of the others for the warning. The door slammed once more in recognition and then quiet. Ever pressing quiet that surrounded and enfolded the small figure. The quiet was pressing in tightly with only a skittering of a rodent to ease it. But there!
He smirked at the comings of the nobles. They thought they were being clever by using horses instead on their fancy carriages. Too bad they rarely came out to see their land or else they would notice that nobody had the money for horses in this kingdom. Maybe in the neighboring countries ruled by the Chang and Winner familles, but not here in the Krushenada homeland. No, there was no money here to be spared. Everything was pulled tight in order to please their ruler.
He snorted, ruler indeed. Shinigami wiped his hands clear of sweat before once more palming the knives. They were growing closer. The undernourished thief gripped his cross closer sending a frutile prayer that he might be able to get rid of the Krushenada bastard. Even if his life was in forfeit it would be worth the pain in order to free the people.
The cloaked figures came into view and to this the Death smiled. It was time to go to work.
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The horse snorted loudly. His rider hushed it silently. His mount ignored his prodding's and snorted again louder this time. The rider's companion wasn't so kind this time, snapping forward with a whip to silence the beast cruelly.
"Why did you do that for!" hissed the first rider.
The second shook his head, "If you can't keep your mount silent, I'll keep it silent for you."
The first was silent for a moment before perking up, "Do you think we'll see some action like his majesty said we would?"
"You should not go looking for fights where you don't belong. Remember the plan and do not stray from it unless you wish the majesty's displeasure in your performance," snorted the second.
He was silent after that. It was true his majesty held this objective with the highest regard, but what could a couple of street mages do to threaten his highness? It's not like they had any true talents like the nobles. The rider sighed. Best not to misjudge his majesty. Better just to follow orders and shut up. After all they were only a decoy to distract the one they called Shinigami and the one the called the Talon. His majesty's highest mages were positioned to take care of the lower street thugs. It was all part of his plan to make sure that no one would be left to overthrow Oz.
Shinigami smirked as the horses passed by the alley that provided the shadows in which he used to hide in. Drawling the cloak closer once more, he pounced. The first was no challenge. He squawked as the blade entered between two ribs and ripped sideways. The figure crumpled bonelessly and fell off his horse. The second wheeled around and charged. Shinigami cursed jumping out of the way. The thief and assassin whirled around and gasped as the figure ripped off his cloak. The blazing symbol of Khrusendra etched its way across the tunic. The guard smirked.
"What's wrong, Shinigami? Surprised?"
Shinigami stuttered with a cry of disbelief. That meant he just killed a guard and not a noble. He snorted in-justification of the fact.
Shinigami glanced his hooded face upwards his violet orbs glowing ominously, "You don't know what your getting yourself into guard. Anyone who sees me has a date with his maker."
The guard chuckled, "No you, Shinigami, do not know what you are getting into."
Violet eyes were full of confusion, "What?"
"As of now the royal Mages are destroying your little street urchins. You should be glad that you were placed in a higher category. His majesty wants you alive," he snorted.
Shinigami snarled, "You lie you murdering bastard."
"Now, now, why would I do a thing like that?" smirked the guard. Shinigami cried out as he felt a cold blade slice through his lower abdomen. The black blade as yanked swiftly out leaving the young thief gasping in pain. A chuckle was heard close by and Shinigami felt pressed to place it. Vision blurring out Shinigami twirled around in surprise. The jerky movement set of his balance, but he refused to relent and show his weakness to his prey. Correction, former prey. The captain smiled and held the dripping blade close in his palm.
"Remember me pretty one? You killed my brother," the captain growled.
Shinigami managed a weak smile, "And you raped me."
"Tut tut, you knew you wanted it. Now it's time to say good-bye!" cried the captain raising the blood stained blade high in the air.
Shinigami cursed and dodged managing only to get a jagged wound in his thigh, "Watch where you point that thing!"
"I was, till you moved," snarled the guard.
"DUO WATCH IT!"
Shinigami glanced up in time to dodge out of the way of a flaming ball of energy. Shinigami refused to cry out as the landing jarred his wounds. He looked up to see the calm facade of Khrusendra's top solider, the famed Lightning Count. Marquise snorted at the screaming girl in the alley way. At least she provided the distraction Shinigami needed to duck. They needed him alive and that captain almost went back on that order. He'd pay for crossing his majesty's wishes, but later and not now.
With a slight cock of his head he ordered the death of the screaming girl. Shinigami's eyes widened.
"HILDE!"
And that was it. The captain barred the sword strike well. She hadn't had the time to scream again. That was good at least, her scream was annoying. Her death was much better in causing the perfect weapon against the fuming Shinigami. Marquise was to say a bit surprised at the youth of the boy that many so feared. His death would be a bit sad to those who just looked upon him. He was a doll of things, his majesty would be overjoyed at the beauty of the young rebel. Then again, that would cause his attention away from Oz's mission if only for a little while.
Shinigami was breathless. He just witnessed the death of one of his closest friends in the business. And with the screaming and the heavy smoke of fire nearby, he had no doubt it was happening to the others like them as well. Clenching his fists in both pain and anger he swore he would have revenge. At least the with his death he would finally be at peace. Death would have to wait though, until the Khrusendra bastard died for what he did.
Oh yes, he would die.
Shinigami was a bit surprised even with the death of Hilde. They both called their real names in desperation for instant action. He smirked knowing that the oblivious soldiers of Oz had no idea that they did such a thing. They just assumed that was their real names, but now he wasn't so sure. Time to think later, now it's time to get out alive from these bastards and warn his sometime partner Talon. Hopefully he was still safe, but then again who would check the traveling gypsies for a mercenary?
Marquise glanced upwards again surprised that Shinigami was trying to inch away. He smiled though, at least he wasn't as boring as the others. Maybe a slight bit crafty? The captain noticed this as well and sought it to his advantage to try and attack while Shinigami was inching away.
The thief snarled and grabbed his side as he dodged the wild fireball sent in his way. This guy was pathetic and knew nothing of who he was dealing with. Shinigami smirked, there was a reason he was code-named death. His free hand lowed with the black electric energy. He winced slightly knowing why it was so powerful. With so many deaths, of course a necromancer would have the advantage.
Shinigami sent the sparkling energy at the captain not stopping till it filled the man fully then watching with obvious boredom as the man exploded. Nothing remained of the man save for a few floating ashes.
Marquise raised an eyebrow at the floating ashes, he was impressed to say the least. Shinigami smiled as the shadows encased his form allowing him to meld and drift away without notice of the Lightning Count. The remaining guard glanced around confused.
"Hey where did he go?"
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That's all for now. Should I continue it? Not really sure. Anyway if I do I was planning on having it a 2*5, 3*4 and no idea what to do with Heero. Comments please?