Loss of Translation
Battle
A / N : Thanks to sud1l0v3 and Dove for the reviews. I did reload the previous chapter, so the problem with the thought-speech got fixed. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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They say that knowing is half the battle. What they don’t tell you is that it’s the easy half. The other half is full of anxiety and stress, hair-pulling and wall-hitting. And then the real problems start.
Kurogane sat next to Fai’s bed pondering. He knew he had to do something. Fai was obviously in trouble, and the Commander was obviously the one causing it. But how? And what could he, a swordsman with no magic skills to speak of, do about it? He thought about killing the Commander, but he wasn’t sure if that would actually solve the problem. It might leave Fai stuck in whatever hellish mind-dimension he’d been pulled into. Without knowing exactly what the Commander was doing, it would be foolish to charge in without a plan. Wouldn’t it? Kuro ran a hand through his hair and though for a moment. The longer he delayed the more pain Fai was in, but the more prepared he would be to face the Commander. And the more prepared the Commander would be to face him. The warrior grabbed his sword and raced out the door, ready for battle.
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In theory, rushing the enemy before they have a chance to regroup is a sound military strategy. In practice, it usually ends with you lying face down in the dirt, or in this case, thrown into a stone wall by a blast of magical energy.
The King was lying on his blankets, emitting shimmering waves of magic which flowed into the now cackling Commander.
“And so the mighty protector rushes to rescue his beloved, heedless of the true power of his enemy. How romantic.”
Kurogane wiped away the blood running down his face. “True power? I’ve seen girls throw better than that.”
“Save the goading. I won’t be distracted by your petty insults.” Although the words tried to mask it, the tiniest hint of annoyance could be heard in the Commander’s voice.
Smiling, Kuro got to his feet and drew his sword. “Who’s goading? I was simply stating the facts.” The warrior swept his eyes over the room trying to find what the Commander was using to manipulate Fai.
“Looking for this?”
Surprise and shock showed plainly on the warriors face as he stared at the object in the Commander’s hand.
“The...translation stone? But how...?”
“How you ask? Simple. You obtained this stone for him. To help him. It ties the two of you together, making it the perfect tool for breaking both him, and your precious little bond.”
A red flush of anger began to creep above the collar of Kurogane’s shirt. “Why? Why are you doing this?” His voice was low, his words precise.
“Why? How could you ask that? Have you never looked at Fai? That smooth delicate skin, those soft golden locks, the deep sapphire eyes; all laid out in front of you. But you refuse to turn and look and he won’t turn his eyes away from you. That’s why. Such beauty, such devotion are lost on such an ungrateful mongrel as you.”
Kuro smirked wickedly. “I see. The once great and powerful Commander reduced to a sniveling, jealous wimp. My, my, how the mighty have fallen.” As the Commander’s face became purple with rage, the ninja’s smirk widened. “Poor, dejected Commander. Rejected by his comrades and unable to find love, he must steal companionship from others, reducing himself to the level of a petty thief. How pathetic.”
Before Kuro could blink the Commander attacked. Swords flashed and the sounds of steel meeting steel echoed off the stone walls. Maddened by rage, the Commander attacked blindly leaving himself wide open to Kurogane’s precise blows. Within minutes the opportunity for victory presented itself, and the warrior took it, piercing through fabric and skin, straight through the Commander’s heart.
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Kurogane placed the small, heavy stone in Fai’s cold hand, enclosing it within his own. Moments passed slowly as the mage lay unmoving.
“Come on Fai, come back.” Time dragged on, minutes feeling like hours as the ninja waited for some sign that his friend would return. “You’ve got to beat this. I...I need you out here.” Leaning down, Kurogane gently kissed the pale forehead. “Please.”
Warmth began to return to the hand holding the stone. Slowly, it spread up the blonde’s arm and into the rest of his body. Breaths become stronger and deeper as color returned to Fai’s skin. Blue eyes opened, their sparkle returning, as a weak smile lit the rest of the mage’s face.
“Good morning.”
Kurogane pulled Fai into his arms, not even bothering to respond.
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TBC