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The Shadowman	By : ColdSilence Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2329 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Title: The Shadowman

Author: Cold Silence

E-Mail: writer.coldsilence@gmail.com

Category: Alternate Universe. Medieval Times.

Pairings: Revealed so far = 4 x Relena, Odin x Catherine, 5 x Merian

Warnings: Potentially NC-17, Yaoi, OOC (I'm TRYING to keep them in character, but I don't think I've succeeded.) Death. Squick. Incest. Rape.

The Shadowman

-Chapter Twelve-

Fire ravaged in the outskirts of Sanc, igniting plantations and destroying a year's worth of labor in one night.

This isn't happening.

Terrified screams wafted across the pastures, echoing off the mountainsides until they seemed to come from all directions.

"Heero."

Its not real.

Trowa lifted his face from its place pressed against his friend's shoulder. Heero hadn't budged an inch ever since his flight to the burning house was stopped, and he remained in a near catatonic state of disbelief as he stared blankly at the flames.

"Heero?" He gave the shepherd an experimental shake, which caused him to sway back and forth. His non-expression was disturbing, as well as his lack of reaction to the movement.

A low growl sent a sliver of fear up Trowa's spine, and for the first time, he began to notice the creatures lurking in the shadows. Obscured as they were, he could only make out a wicked talon here or a leathery tail there, but he could hear their guttural noises underlying the chaos. They were nearly surrounded, and still Heero wouldn't budge from his spot.

"HEERO!" He stepped out from behind his friend and frantically began shaking him. "Heero! We have to leave NOW!"

The Prussian eyed boy seemed to return minimally from his daze; enough that he registered Trowa in front of him. He felt as if he were outside of his body watching through his eyes, and any fear he felt was distant and bland compared to the numbness. Casted from above, a sinuous shadow passed over their bodies, and Heero's gaze tracked upwards of their own accord to see what it was. Just as he made out the silhouette, the creature flying overhead emitted a mighty bellow and sent a boulder-sized fireball towards the already blazing house.

The resulting explosion knocked the boys off their feet, but it was enough to finally snap Heero out of his stupor. Aware that his friend was finally back to reality, Trowa took a firm grip on his wrist and took off running. Heero hesitated at first, but soon he was matching his best friend stride for stride, spurred on by the tenacity for life and fear of an unpleasant death.

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From on top of a grassy knoll, beneath the same tree that once shaded the shepherd and the Shadowman, Dorothy surveyed her handiwork with a critical eye. She had a panoramic view of the countryside, which was nearly completely consumed with fire. People were fleeing across stretches of land that were not consumed by the conflagration; like little ants retreating from a crushed anthill.

Ice blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. She had waited patiently for nightfall, when their powers were at their strongest to hunt for the Shadowman. Unfortunately, though Alex and Mueller knew the Lowes lived on the countryside, they didn't tell her which house he was in. There were dozens scattered too far apart to search one by one, and Dorothy was not that patient. Therefore they used the shadows to scatter their monsters throughout the area, which in turn began their usual fanfare of setting everything on fire and eating anything in sight. It couldn't be helped. The whole point was to flush their quarry out of wherever he was hiding, but there was one problem.

"I don't see the Shadowman anywhere." Zech's admission annoyed the Widower even further. He HAD to be there! They were taking a great risk being exposed like this. "Do you suppose he's dead?"

"No. I would know if he died." She took a few steps closer to the edge of the cliff to get a better view. Zechs gave her back a skeptical look, but he continued to peer into the gloom for the missing boy.

"There!" Jerking a pale finger outward, Dorothy pointed towards two figures running together through fields of grain. By then, Trowa had released Heero's wrist and they were using every last ounce of energy to pummel through the tall stalks towards the river.

"That isn't him."

"I can see that with my own eyes!" While flashing him an irritated look, she dug in the pouch slung around her waist until she withdrew the mirror she was using earlier. "That is the one who is also important to the prophecy."

Lifting the object to eye level, her eyes faded to the color of twilight with the access of her power. Heero still displayed that fierce white glow, but the red threads that once attached himself to Duo now flailed wildly, their ends severed from the lovely knots once formed with the Shadowman. The vision caused her to cackle with glee.

"I take it you see something good?" Amused by the woman's mirth, an eyebrow tilted upwards on Zechs' face.

"His destiny is already on its way to oblivion." Lowering the mirror once more, she nodded her head once. "Let us make it permanent. Kill him."

"As you wish, Widower."

Eyelids lowered to half-mast, nail blue eyes darkened to violet. The man had a talent of his own, one that earned him the title "Puppet Master." Somewhere in the fields of grain, a cat-like creature suddenly ceased its motion, its mind invaded by a Mystic presence. Zechs could feel its uncontrolled emotions of rage and lust, taste the blood in its mouth, and see the red world through its eyes. Nearby, the flash of calves drew its attention towards a pair of humans darting away. Instantly recognizing who they were, the man coaxed the creature into chasing the tantalizing meal.

The hunt was on.

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Labored breaths pushed themselves past his lips, his body running on the reserves of adrenaline. They were darting through tall fields of wheat, and Trowa panicked whenever he lost sight of Heero beside him. They were not the only ones heading towards the river, everyone in the countryside had the same idea: water was safer than fire. He could hear their shouts traveling in the same direction; voices that would suddenly silence themselves before they were anywhere near their destination. It made the hackles rise on his neck, and on some gut level he knew that they were next.

When they finally broke free of the stalks, hope flared in his chest at the sight of the river only a few feet away. Unfortunately, his optimism was crushed when something large and black also burst out of fields and skidded to a stop directly in front of them. The creature was on all fours, and it was as tall as Trowa's chest. Powerful muscles rippled beneath leathery skin, and a purple tongue darted out to lap at the fangs protruding over its lips.

If he hadn't known better, he could swear it was leering at them.

He took a step back, and bumped into Heero who was once more riveted to his spot like a statue. One glance into his face made his heart fall; his best friend had already resigned himself to die. That's when he realized that his own life was now over, for he would never let Heero die alone.

"Sayonara, kojin," (1) Trowa's voice was barely above a whisper as he shut his eyes tightly.

Bracing himself for the inevitable pain, he waited for the end to come. Nothing happened. Creaking open an eye, Trowa saw that something else had the creature's attention. Emitting a low growl, and crouched with its fur puffed out to indicate its sheer fear, was Wing. The amount of sacrifice and loyalty displayed caused Trowa's chest to sting, and he wasn't about to let it go to waste. Heero was giving his dog a sad look, but he wasn't allowed linger once Trowa began pushing him towards the river.

From atop the hill, Zechs let out a low growl of irritation. The monster he was influencing had an unfounded hatred for dogs, and try as he might; he couldn't get its attention off Wing.

Trowa refused to look back when the fight began, instead concentrating on getting Heero to safety. The tide was in, and the water was waist deep. The river cut a channel through the countryside all the way towards Sanc, and luckily the current would help sweep them in that direction. The cold water seemed to revive Heero, and once more he was struggling to stay alive by swimming with the current. Relieved that they were finally heading away from danger, Trowa followed beside him.

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Early morning sun filtered through the stained glass windows of Castle Sandrock, which was bustling with activity as servants went about their daily routine. Inside one of the large sitting rooms, Quatre and Wufei were hunched over a game of chess, enjoying a few moments of peace before they had to don emotional armor to survive the day. The sound of the door opening drew their attentions, and caused their mouths to fall open upon seeing who it was.

"Duo!"

The Shadowman paused in the middle of closing the door. "Why are you guys looking at me like that?"

"Its not even midday."

"So?"

"You're never up before midday!"

Wufei emitted a short chuckle at Quatre's surprise. "That was one of the things he was required to do at the farm."

"Besides the shepherding?"

Duo gave them a flat look while they bantered back and forth on his expense. Truth told, he was surprised to find them here so early in the morning playing chess. How long have they been meeting casually like this? Wufei was even smiling! Was this something he missed because of his habit of staying up all night, or was it simply that didn't belong anymore?

"Sit with us Duo! I've been meaning to talk to you."

Clicking the door shut, he obediently took a seat alongside of the table between Quatre and Wufei. Glancing down at the chessboard, he absently noted that the king was winning, as usual.

"I've been rather busy while you were gone. I needed something to distract the nobles from your absence, but this is something I've been meaning to do for a while. We are going to have a ball, a grand ball, in your honor." Quatre beamed cheerfully at Duo. "Every maiden in the kingdom will be there, and we know how much you like parties."

Quatre had expected Duo to become excited and dance around the table. What he didn't expect was the Shadowman's empty stare.

"You did what?"

"A ball Duo. I thought it would be nice -- "

"With maidens? Eligible maidens? As in women who could be possible candidates to become my wife?!"

Taken aback by the vehement response, Quatre's eyes widened at his old friend. "True, there will be women that you may find to your liking. You are seventeen Duo, it is time you began courting, and yes, find a wife."

The chess pieces atop the black and white board toppled over when Duo stood up and banged the table with his palms. "You want me to disappear, is that it?! The Shadowman is now useless, so you want another to take my place!"

"Duo. Settle down." Wufei gave Duo a warning look, promising action if he continued to behave this way. Although he didn't move from his table, his body took on a tenseness of a cobra ready to strike. "Let Quatre say his peace first."

"It's ok Wufei, I understand why Duo is upset." With a sad look, the king twisted in his seat until he was facing Duo. His countenance was that of a father trying to calm his son. "Tsuberov told you, didn't he?"

"Yes." For the sake of civility - and to avoid Wufei putting him in a chokehold, he lowered his voice to a more appropriate level.

"I didn't sanction this ball for the purpose of marrying you off. You were restless, and I thought a companion of some sort was what you needed to calm you."

"Of course I'm restless, what person my age isn't?" Some of the tenseness drained from his stance, but he continued to stand while the two of them remained sitting.

"Be that as it may, I don't want you leave me Duo. You are dear to Relena and I. I quite simply want you to look." He offered a placating smile. "Just look Duo. You are not getting married within the fortnight."

"However, what happened to your parents is inevitable." Duo was mildly shocked that Wufei knew about the previous Shadowmen before him, but never said a word. "Love is nothing to fear, it will be the most wonderful thing that will ever happen to you." Mahogany depths glittered with knowledge earned through experience.

Duo reeled from all the information. A ball, filled to the brim with noble women at each other's throats for the prize of being his wife. He could guess at the time and expense Quatre put into it, therefore he couldn't just ask him to cancel the entire thing. He was stuck.

Nevertheless, all he had to do was look…right?

"I'm sorry for running my mouth off like that." With a weak smile, Duo backed away from the table and gave a short bow. "I'll be at the ball, thanks for thinking of me, my king. If I'm needed, I'll be in my quarters."

They watched as Duo exited through the doors in his sudden haste to be away from the both of them. Wufei leaned forwards, and began returning the fallen pawns to their places.

"You don't want him to disappear, and yet if you have a son, you will need a new Shadowman."

Quatre bowed his head guilty. For a moment, he had reached out to sense Duo's emotions, only to find that there was only more pain. "Yes. I am sorry for that."

Lifting his head slightly, the sight of the king and queen chess pieces filled his vision.

"So sorry."

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Tired. So tired. Trowa and Heero had been swimming all-night and early morning, their limbs numb and wrinkled from the constant exercise and contact with water. They were not alone, many survivors from the outskirts were taking the same route towards the inner city. Too afraid they would be tracked by land, they refused to leave the river until they were safely within the city walls.

The entire ordeal had been a massive nightmare. Many people had died, and once they were far enough along the river that the danger was diminished, some survivors would break down in tears for the ones they lost. Others swam themselves to exhaustion, terrified by the creatures they had seen and the carnage they witnessed. Oftentimes, dead bodies would float down the current with them, and cries of lament would rise when someone recognized the corpse of an old friend or family member. When the decapitated head of Wing floated by, Trowa had to stop and support Heero while he threw up into the water.

Upon reaching the interior of Sanc, they drew the attention of passersby whom were shocked at the whole situation. City guards were fetched and a few with kind hearts waded into the river to help the exhausted country folk reach the shore. Several were amazed that they had survived the entire journey, but these were strong people to begin with to live their kind of lifestyle.

Trowa was ready to kiss the solid land as he began trudging out of the water. Heavy breaths announced the presence of his friend behind him, but a sudden hitch and gasp of pain caused him to spin around.

Heero was clutching tightly at his chest, eyes pinched closed as he began slumping into the river. Trowa raced towards him and caught him just before his face was submerged, and began dragging him to the shoreline. White noise filled the shepherd's hearing, and his sight became mottled with dots. Stabbing pain radiated from his heart, spreading to the left side of his body and causing him to become immobile.

"Light, Heero!" Laying him on the dry ground, Trowa tried to discover what was wrong with his friend. A spasm made the shepherd arch sharply.

"Tasukete..." (2)

Alarmed, Trowa began yelling at the top of his lungs for someone to help him. Unfortunately, he was not the only one crying for assistance along the shoreline, and his voice was just one of the many crowded around him.

"Trowa!"

Like a miracle, Marie and Meia pushed through the chaos and ran towards the boys. They were barefooted, and likewise drenched from head to toe from the river water. Threading his fingers through Heero's, Trowa could feel the straggling beats of his slowing heart.

"Please do something, his mother died this way!"

Marie knelt at Heero's feet, and Meia placed herself behind his head. They locked gazes, and came to a quick decision with matching nods. Mirroring each other's actions, they lifted their palms and placed them over the boy's trembling frame. Trowa did not expect them to do this, but he didn't care. He was grasping at straws, especially now that Heero had stopped breathing. His desperation was the sole reason he didn't run when the eyes of the twins began to glow a deep violet.

Their hands traced the air above Heero, as if searching for whatever ailment it was that was killing him. Meia's palms stilled over his heart, where his once clenched fingers were becoming lax.

"Do you see that?"

"Yes." A brief frown marred Marie's features. "Let's remove it."

Intense darkness surrounded the shepherd's figure, drawing gasps from the people who finally saw what was going on. As one, the girls began to chant.

"Healing moon, gentle stars,

Return that which is ours

Banish pain and things that hurt

I remove the Shadowman's Curse!"

Blackness swallowed Heero like an obsidian blanket, and abruptly burst outwards in a shower of crackling electricity. The bolts passed through him, infusing him with a shock of energy that caused him to spasm and sharply inhale. His heart beat once more.

Trowa's emotions danced between gratitude and fear, his green eyes mirroring the inner turmoil as he stared at the girls. Yells of "Mystic!" were already starting up from the gathered crowd, and soldiers were marching towards them with swords drawn to eliminate the perceived threat.

"Gomen," (3) Marie gave him a sad look, sorry that he had to find out their secret this way. Things clicked into place, and Trowa understood why he survived the occasional beatings with hardly a scar. Perhaps even his mother had known all along.

Whatever Trowa wanted to say, he would never be able to voice. The girls sprang to their feet and began running away from the approaching guard, and all he could do was stare after them in shock and cradle Heero in his arms.

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"Now lets just say the world IS round, then is it also possible that it spins around?"

Midday sun filtered through the windows of the cluttered room. Duo tried everything to get his mind off the morning's events, but nothing could temper his rising anxiety over the upcoming ball. Therefore, he had turned to the absolute last resort, and fetched Tsuberov so that he could catch up on his lessons. He figured the old man would bore him to numbness, and so far it was working. He had been in a mental state of semi-consciousness from the moment his tutor opened his mouth.

Creaking hinges interrupted the lesson, and they turned to find Wufei standing at the door. His thin lips were set in a grim line, and the way he was looking at the Shadowman immediately put him on edge. "Excuse me for interrupting the lesson, but I must speak with him."

"Of course Lord Chang! You are dismissed Duo, and don't forget to read that chapter on law."

Fully awake by the time he lifted off his seat, the braided boy made his way towards the Dragon Leader. They walked in silence down the hall, butterflies fluttering in his stomach until he could no longer take it anymore.

"What is it? What do you need to tell me that couldn't wait?"

Wufei stopped his pacing, fingers clenched at his sides. After a moment, he began to speak, "There's been a disaster in the outskirts."

Duo felt the breath exit from his lungs.

"Nearly every house has been burned to the ground, as well as the plantations and farms. The corpses left behind are unrecognizable. We know the Mystics did this."

"They were looking for me.." His own voice felt tiny in his ears. "Why wasn't the guard there to help them? I thought Quatre sent the Dragons on patrol?"

"From a distance, it looked as if they were lighting bonfires. Because of the Fair, nobody knew what was really happening. Merian is very upset over it."

"Are they alive?"

There was no need for Duo to define who "they" were. In answer, Wufei could only offer a rueful shake of his head.

"It's not true! They have to be alive!"

"I flew over their homes personally with Shenlong. There was nothing left, and we know they used monsters in their search."

Each word sent his heart sinking lower and lower. Catherine and Odin. Trowa. Heero. All his fault.

All HIS fault.

"Duo?" The boy had his head bowed, expression hidden by the fall of chestnut over his brow. Tentatively raising his palm, Wufei meant to comfort his friend, only to have his offering pushed angrily away. Duo spun on his heels and jerkily began walking away, up until he reached his room and slammed the door behind him.

Then, he sunk against the wooden surface to the carpeted floor, eyes stinging from tears he refused to shed. They were NOT dead! Could not! He wouldn't allow it!

He stewed in his fragmented mix of memories and denial, his eyes focusing on a finger of sunlight that stopped just beyond his foot. What was the sun doing out? Didn't it know it was supposed to rain? A strange ache in his chest made him wince momentarily.

He was more alone than ever before.

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Several days passed by. The kingdom tried to recover from both the shock of what had occurred, as well as the blow to their economy due to the loss of its farms. Many people were angry, upset, and frightened, but the biggest question on everybody's mind was this: Where was the Shadowman? Was he not supposed to protect them? Was it actually true that he controlled the monsters, and the king was sacrificing them all to the Dark?

Unrest spread like wildfire, and action had to be taken soon. The Dragon Clan patrolled the skies regularly, watching for the advancing tide of monsters and quelling any riots that broke out. Sometimes a creature was spotted, and it would have to be killed before any harm was done. Unfortunately, due to their ability to appear out of the shadows, many went unnoticed, and people began disappearing.

Nobody was caught dead or alive outside their homes at night. Bright lights were kept burning to help vanquish the shadows, and swords were always kept nearby. At evening, children began to sing, "Sun goes down, run inside! Monsters get you if you don't hide! Light the candle, say goodnight, clasp your hands and pray to the Light!"

Relena listened to the now familiar mantra as children ran past the door of the study room. Even Sandrock was so bright with lamplight that one could swear it was the Winter Solstice. It served as a constant reminder of their precarious situation, and it sent shivers up her spine. Tuning out the children's chanting, she glanced at the other occupants of the table. Her husband was poring over maps, while Duo sat off to the side looking more morose and bitter than he ever had his entire life.

Delicately clearing her throat to get their attention, she set aside the quill she was using to write out documents. "I think we should do something about the peasants."

"The peasants?" Quatre gave his wife an incredulous look. He knew his wife was a kind person, and usually he was delighted to help her indulge in acts of kindness towards their people. However, given the urgency of the current situation, even Relena should be able to see how trivial it was at the moment.

"Yes, the peasants." Folding her hands neatly in front of her, she continued matter of factly. "They are homeless now that their residences and livelihood in the outskirts have been destroyed. I have come to the conclusion that it would be best if we offered them shelter in the castle."

"Relena, that is all well and good, but what would we do with a bunch of country folk in Sandrock?"

"We let them work of course. They can be trained to be hand-servants, we can always use a few more considering the size of this place. Moreover, the people will see it as a gesture of goodwill, and it will assure them that you are not the cause of these creatures running rampant."

Quatre had to admit, the idea had merit. From his place seated alongside the table, Duo perked up at Relena's words. The Shadowman had hoped that his surrogate family was somewhere among those survivors, but he was never allowed to leave the castle to go in search of them.

"That is a good idea. We'll do it. I always knew my wife was intelligent." Quatre beamed at the other blonde, who returned a small smile of her own before picking up her quill and returning to work.

Interrupted by a servant knocking on the door, Duo glanced up as a man entered carrying a silver tray with a piece of parchment on top. He plucked the letter off its place before dismissing him, and unfolded the piece of paper. "It's a list of missing people."

"How long is it?" Eyes still glued to the maps, Quatre used his fingers to keep his place.

A brief pause ensued as Duo scanned the list, and was relieved to find that the people he knew were not on it. "Sixty five."

This disturbing news caused the king to push his golden bangs back and blow air through his lips. Relena merely gave him a significant look, before returning to her scribbling.

Things were about to settle down, when the doors opened for a second time without announcement. Wufei stepped in garbed in the usual red and black, the few hairs escaping his tight ponytail speaking of being out on Shenlong.

"We captured Mystics."

Duo was instantly on his feet, his eyes bright with some frightening emotion. Quatre and Relena rose more slowly, but not any less eager.

"Bring them in." The king straightened his robes, preparing himself to finally look his enemy in the eye. He expected someone proud and threatening, therefore he was bewildered when two of Wufei's men led a pair of frightened girls into the study.

"Marie and Meia?" Duo stared in disbelief.

"There were rumors that these two have been using their powers to heal the injured. We finally found them hiding in the stables." Turning his gaze to the cowering girls, Wufei spoke to them sharply. "Kneel before the presence of your King, Queen, and the Shadowman!"

The girls emitted sharp gasps before obediently falling to their hands and knees. A hastily whispered "I knew it!" fell from Marie's mouth as she touched her forehead to the floor.

"Wait, these girls don't have anything to do with the rebellion. They're probably half-breeds." With a worried look, Duo took a step closer to Wufei, silently willing him to treat them a little more gently.

Catching the look, the Dragon Leader moderated his tone before addressing them once more. "The short-haired one, stand up."

Meia quickly scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide as she stared at Duo in awe.

"Can you take off that collar around his neck?"

Swallowing nervously, her head bobbed in a quick nod. "I can try."

"Do it."

Hesitantly, she stepped forwards and reached up to delicately prod at the Gundam around Duo's neck. Her cheeks flushed beneath the intense gazes of everyone in the room, causing her to fumble somewhat in her exploration.

"I think I understand it." Her eyes widened slightly, and after a few more moments, there was a click of the studded collar coming away from Duo's neck.

His eyes fell shut, and when they next opened, they were once more the brilliant amethysts of a Shadowman. Meia gave a yelp of surprise as darkness began to clamor around Duo, surrounding him as if to express how much he was missed. A deep laugh came from the boy's throat as he spun around, tendrils of black air tracing patterns around his body as he grinned widely.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are back in business!"

Wufei hid a smile as he took the Gundam away from the girl. "What shall we do with them my king?"

Quatre took his eyes away from the jubilant Duo, his elation faltering somewhat. "Take them to the dungeons for now."

"Dungeons?" Pausing in his dancing around the table, Duo watched as the girls were escorted out of the room. He knew they didn't deserve to be put in a dungeon, but it would take some time to convince Quatre that they weren't a threat. However, that would have to wait - right now, there was something he had to do. Before anyone could ask any questions, he blew out one of the candles of the room and ducked into the shadow it caused.

"Duo..?" Quatre spoke too late, already he was gone. Wufei had a sneaking suspicion that the boy had gone in search of the Lowes, and he was absolutely right.

However, Duo wasn't gone for more than five seconds before he stepped out of the same shadow with a harassed expression on his face. Right on his heels was a snarling trolloc, which he eliminated with a fireball that send it falling back into the portal. Turning to face his bewildered audience, he spoke angrily.

"The Shadowland is overflowing with monsters."

Relena clutched at her husband's arm, eyes wide with fear. Quatre's visage darkened. "If they have their armies of monsters ready to attack at a moment's notice, why haven't they done so already!"

"They are playing with us." Wufei nearly snarled.

The relief they experienced earlier was quickly replaced with a sense of foreboding. Their enemies were literally breathing down their necks, and there was nothing they could do about it.

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Dorothy stepped out of the shadow's embrace, a grimace of distaste twisting her lips when the bottom of her shoes encountered slime. Although she'd lived there her entire life, she could never quite get used to living in the mountains. It angered her to see her people struggling to survive while the rest of the world thrived below. All their hardships could be blamed on only one thing, and that was Winner. However, if she had her way, they would be the ones to taste suffering.

She traveled deep into a cave, one she was so familiar with that she could maneuver in its interior with her eyes closed. Cold air made her skin prick with goose pimples, nevertheless she continued on until she arrived at a dimly lighted chamber.

The air here was moving, pushing back and forth like the exhalations of breath. There was movement, and the distinct sound of something slithering across the floor before abruptly emitting a rattling sound. Obediently, Dorothy fell prostrate before the presence in the room.

"Report."

Shivering in response to the gruff, animalistic voice, she ruefully began to recount the events of the night before and their failure to eliminate the Shadowman. Another displeased rattle made her lapse back into silence.

"How long would you have my army wait, Widower?"

"Not long your excellence." Dirt dragged itself into her palms upon the clenching of her fingertips. "No army will stand a chance while the Shadowman is still bonded to the Winners. The three wise men spoke of a time when their reign will experience hardship, and this will be when their connection is weakest. Already, the threads begin to wither between them. I will break them, and then nothing will stand in our way!"

There was a brief thumping as something heavy and thick thudded against the floor, like contemplative foot tapping. "You only have until the Vanishing Sun to complete your task. I do not fear the Shadowman! He is just an over-glorified Mystic."

"As you wish, my Lord Khans."

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"They have arrived, my Queen."

"Excellent Sally! Show me to them."

It had taken a few days to get word out in Sanc that the castle was accepting refugees from the countryside. As Relena predicted, the people welcomed the gesture of goodwill, and faith was slowly being returned to the Winners. To insure this, she personally oversaw the proceedings, even going so far as to meet the peasants themselves.

"Mind you my Lady, they are very confused and frightened. They are here because they have no place else to go. Half of them think Lord Duo will swoop upon them at any moment and gobble them up."

They shared a pleasant laugh. Sally, the Head Housekeeper of Castle Sandrock, would be in charge of training their new charges. Although the Shadowman wouldn't "gobble them up" as most of them feared, she fervently hoped that Duo wouldn't try and scare their pants off anyway. Unfortunately, that was like wishing for the sun never to rise.

Everyone was gathered in the large anteroom of the castle, most shuffling nervously as they took in the opulent surroundings. A gasp went through the crowd upon the arrival of the queen; hats came off in a flurry and many made awkward bows.

"As you can see, they need a lot of work," Sally whispered.

"I suppose that's to be expected." Cornflower eyes glittered with amusement at the scene before her. Clapping her hands once to get everyone's attention, she raised her voice to be heard. "Alright, lets all begin with your names! Starting with you over there!"

One by one, they went down the line of stammering and blushing people. Midway through the exercise, she encountered someone who would not give his name.

"Boy, don't be afraid. Tell me your name." Smiling complacently, she urged the boy with ruffled brown locks to answer. However, he remained stubbornly silent, with eyes downcast as he stared at the floor.

"His name is Heero."

Her gaze shifted to his taller companion, her interest peeking considerably. This green-eyed boy was obviously protective of his companion, of which spoke of a kind heart. His gaze was defiant, but she suspected he hid many emotions behind that calm mask and fringe of auburn hair. He was one of the ones whom didn't kneel upon her entrance.

"And you are?"

"Trowa Bloom."

"A lovely name! Tell me Trowa, was your friend always mute?"

"Iie." He glanced momentarily at Heero. "Only recently."

"I see." Immediately she felt sympathetic towards Heero. They must have been through some arduous ordeal for him to be so withdrawn. Yet here was Trowa, being so strong for them both. Those two must share a very interesting story, and she absolutely loved stories.

After getting each and every name, Relena pulled Sally aside to speak to her.

"That Trowa fellow, I want him to do something specific."

Sally listened to the queen's odd request with a quirked brow. From his place among the crowd of people, Trowa decided that the glances he was receiving from her Highness were making him very uncomfortable.

Deciding to ignore it, he turned towards Heero, who was staring down one of the hallways of the castle.

"What is it?"

Same as ever, he was never answered. Heero had completely closed himself off to the world ever since the incident at the farm. It was as if he were sheathed in a block of impenetrable ice.

Indeed, he had become like ice. It was a barrier that kept him alive, a void deprived of emotions that helped him feel no pain. However, the moment he stepped into Castle Sandrock, the shepherd was assaulted with an uncanny sense of déjà vu, as if he had walked these halls before. The resonance here was so strong, he could pinpoint the exact direction it was coming from, and he stared off in that distance. Before he knew what he was doing, he had begun walking towards it.

"Heero?" Trowa glanced towards the Queen and Sally, making sure that they weren't being watched. Since they were currently distracted, he followed his friend, wondering what could have possibly gotten into him. "Where are you going?"

The other boy picked up the pace until he was jogging. He was close, so very close to the thing that's been pulling at him all his life. As they became nearer to it, he began to hear voices.

"You can not leave this castle, we've already discussed this."

"But they could be out there! I have to look, can't I just go once? One night?"

"Would you leave the king unprotected for your own selfish reasons?"

Heero rounded the final corner, heart pounding as he stared at what was in front of him. A man dressed in black and red greeted his gaze, and right next to him….

"Duo.."

"HEERO!"

The echo down the hallways startled several servants. The shepherd hardly had a chance to blink before he was surrounded in a tight hug.

"I knew it! I knew you weren't dead! By the Dark, it's so good to see you!"

A moment later, Trowa stepped out from behind the same corner. Duo was about to give him the same treatment, but the wideness of his eyes made him pause. Trowa was staring at his face.

"Duo, what happened to your eyes?"

The inquiry by the tall boy made his blood freeze. Beside him, Wufei was giving him a stern look that urged him to tell the truth.

Reluctantly, he let go of Heero and took a step back away from them. His head tilted downwards like a chastised child, and he spoke in a toneless voice.

"My name is Duo Winner. I live here in Sandrock."

Trowa immediately stiffened in his place, and Heero merely looked confused.

"I am the Shadowman."

To see the hate in Heero's eyes was like being stabbed by a thousand knives.

End Chapter Twelve

(1) Sayonara, kojin: Goodbye, old friend. (I saw somewhere that kojin is also used to refer to the deceased.)

(2) Tasukete: Help

(3) Gomen: Sorry
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The Shadowman