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Shattered Illusions	By : dragonphire99 Category: +. to F > FAKE Views: 6374 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own FAKE, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Shattered
Illusions

by Lady Dragonphire

Disclaimer:
FAKE and its characters are the property of Sanami Matoh.

Warning:
Disturbingly Dark Content � Angst, Language, Beating, Torture, Violation (not
rape). This is an extremely dark
chapter. Please do not read if you are
overly sensitive to graphic descriptions of these topics. You have been warned�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter
6. Pure Sin

Ryo walked
back to the campsite with a heavy heart, pondering the revelations of his
second visit to the castle and thinking about his last moments with Dee.
From talking to Dee, Ryo had discovered that underneath his brash and
courageous exterior rested a heart of gold.
Ryo now knew how much the kingdom needed the fearless leadership and
guidance that only Dee
could provide. Ryo firmly decided to
plead Dee�s case to Rose. It was the least he could do for someone who
had shown him kindness and mercy, and perhaps something deeper as well. Ryo shook his head and banished this train of
thought. No, now was not the time to
bring the newly surfaced emotions that Dee had awakened in him into
play. He would think about Dee�s sincere confession of the heart
later. Now he had to concentrate fully
on the task at hand. Dee�s life depended on his choice of
words.

__________________________________________________________

�What�s
that � oh, your family crest?� Diana asked casually as she took Rose�s large
hand in her own and sensually traced the pattern that was engraved on the new
ring that adorned Rose�s finger. A
single blood ruby stone was set into the gold band underneath the impressive
carving of the distinctive gold outline of a rose that was raised slightly
above the stone. She lounged lazily
against him, bringing his hand up so that the ring glittered in the
sunlight.

�Yes. You know it well. It is recognized by enemies and allies alike
as a symbol of my power,� Rose intoned, smiling down at her as he got up from
the bed and put on his armor, Diana following suit. �That, my dear, will become the new royal
insignia when I am king. It should not
be long now. We only have to wait for
Ryo�s return to confirm Dee�s death,� Rose said maliciously as he took her hand in
his and led her outside into the streaming sunlight that signified a new
morning.

As they
exited the tent, they were just in time to see Ryo emerge from the dense
foliage and walk wearily towards his tent.
A worried look graced his handsome features and his dark eyes held a
haunted aura within their depths. He had
thought long and hard on his return journey about what he was going to say to
Rose, and he still had not come up with any surefire ways to convince the man
of Dee�s innocence. Once Rose had his mind made up, it was
difficult, if not impossible, to change it.
Still, Ryo knew that he had to do what felt right to his heart.

�Ah, so
you have finally returned,� Rose said with contempt as he sauntered up to Ryo
confidently. Diana, the stunning beauty,
was leisurely draped on his arm. She was
a convenient reminder of what wealth and fame had accomplished for Rose to all
the warriors at the campsite. They admired and coveted Rose�s position of power
and the privileges that came with it.

�Yes, the
mission is over,� Ryo said quietly, his soft midnight eyes looking up to meet
Rose�s icy blue gaze before he turned away and proceeded towards his tent.

�Good,�
Rose said with a satisfied smile on his face.
�Come with me and tell me the details of the mission. I have a handsome reward for you,� he purred,
ignoring Diana�s suspicious frown at him.

�Please,
sir, I am weary from my travels. I will
talk to you later. I must rest first,�
Ryo entreated with downcast eyes as he turned again to approach his tent.

�No, we
will talk now,� Rose commanded angrily as he narrowed his eyes and turned to
grab Ryo by the shoulder. His fingers
missed and snagged on the material of Ryo�s assassin�s outfit instead. Desperate to restrain the retreating
honey-blond, Rose roughly pulled at the material and caught Ryo off-balance,
whirling him around and ripping the material in the process. Rose stood there in shock and Diana gasped as
Ryo�s neck and one side of his chest were exposed to their eyes, revealing the
bruised flesh of the lovebite that Dee had so ardently
bestowed upon him in expressing his passionate desires for the shy man the
night before. Ryo stood there stunned,
placing one hand over his uncovered skin and reeling as though he had been
dealt a blow. Never before had his
superior been so physically intimidating as Rose moved threateningly closer to
him, seeming to tower over Ryo. Rose�s
brows furrowed menacingly as his face contorted into an expression of silent
fury. Ryo trembled as Rose dealt him a
sudden backhanded blow across his angelic face that made his weary body
collapse onto the ground. Ryo�s hands
flew to his face, covering his cheek that was now throbbing painfully. �You fucking slut! How dare you lie to me?! I see that you have failed me again!� Rose
bellowed, barely restraining himself from strangling the dazed
honey-blond. Leaning down so that he was
right next to Ryo�s lowered head, he hissed into his ear, �Now I know why. Did you moan his name as he fucked you? Did you like it, you little whore? Answer me!� he yelled warningly as he kicked
Ryo hard in the stomach. Ryo whimpered
and doubled over in pain, his head spinning as he tried to focus on Rose�s
accusations. �You couldn�t get enough
the first time, huh? No, you had to
humiliate me once again and satisfy your own selfish needs for pleasure by
returning! Well, I hope that it was
worth it, because that�s the last time that you�ll ever see him again,� Rose
vowed bitterly. With that, he pulled Ryo
up by his hair and slapped his face harshly again, rendering him unconscious. �What does he have that I don�t?� he
questioned softly as he picked up Ryo�s limp body and carried him into the tent
behind his, the tent where only he, Diana, and offending members of his laws
were allowed to enter.

__________________________________________________________

Ryo opened
his eyes, blinking questioningly into the semi-darkness as his vision slowly
came into focus and he became aware of his surroundings. His head throbbed painfully and his face
hurt, indicating the presence of the bruises that were already forming from
Rose�s punishing assault. He felt deft
fingers ghosting over his wrists from where his body was suspended and he
glanced down to see Diana moving around him.
Ryo tried to move, but found it to be impossible as he now realized that
he was in the process of being bound.
His body, weakened by Rose�s attack, could not even fathom responding to
the danger of the situation that his mind was registering.

Diana
finished fastening Ryo�s wrists together with the chains that were draped over
a horizontal metal pole that was supporting his body weight since he had been
unable to stand while unconscious. She
secured his ankles as well with metal shackles and placed the key on a table
just out of Ryo�s reach. �I�m sorry �
Rose�s orders,� she said softly, unable to meet his eyes. Ryo was naked except for a small piece of
cloth that tied around his trim waist, barely concealing him. He felt vulnerable and exposed, but in no way
regretted what he had done to be in the position that he was in now. He had followed his heart. He knew now that whatever he said wouldn�t
matter to Rose, but he still had to try to convince Diana that Dee did not deserve to die. It was the least he could do for Dee.

�It�s
okay,� Ryo whispered, although his face was flushed in shame from his current
state of undress and helplessness. �It�s
not your fault. Please try to see what
an evil man Rose truly is. He�s only
using you too, just like he did me. He
doesn�t care about me or you or what becomes of us. Dee is not a bad person.
He is a king who rules fairly and justly, considered a savior by his
people. He does not deserve to die. Rose must be stopped at whatever cost,� Ryo
implored.

Ryo
unexpectedly felt a sharp stinging pain as Diana slapped him across his
face. Registering a twinge of the
metallic taste of blood on his lower lip, Ryo looked demurely into her flashing
eyes as she raised her voice in anger.
�Do not ever speak of him like that again! I trust his judgment. Just because you were so easily swayed by Dee�s charms does not mean that what
he is doing is right. Rose has told me
his true nature and will consequently conquer his kingdom at all costs,
crushing all foes that oppose him. I
know that what he is doing is right. I
will stand by his side no matter what because I LOVE him,� she said defiantly,
glaring at the man rendered helpless before her.

Ryo sighed
in defeat. He knew that he was fighting
a losing battle. Love was powerful and
it could blind even the most intelligent people from the truth. He lowered his head sadly, feeling sorry for
Diana. She was not a bad person. She was just mislead by Rose�s cunningly
crafted lies of deceit, as he once had been.

Like Ryo,
she had felt gratitude towards the blonde warlord. Rose had taken her in and rescued her from
the life of prostitution that she had been leading. Rose had noticed the mistress of seduction�s
fierce gaze and unbreakable spirit despite all of the hardships that she had
encountered. One night he had visited
the brothel to find that Diana had killed her cruel master, standing over him
holding a dagger with a wicked smile playing over her lips. She had taken her vengeance. He knew then that he had to have her by his
side. Diana, in turn, could not refuse
the handsome warlord whose ambitions had matched her own.

Diana
stalked off in a huff, pausing to smile at Rose and lay a quick kiss to his
cheek as he sauntered into the tent, whip in hand. �Well, well, well. I see that the little lost sheep has finally
decided to return to his flock,� Rose taunted derisively, walking over to Ryo
and ripping off the cloth that covered his lower body. Ryo�s face flushed in shame and he lowered
his head, averting his eyes from Rose�s cruel glittering stare. Seeing the streak of blood that adorned the
corner of Ryo�s mouth, Rose extended his serpent tongue and licked it off,
causing Ryo to shudder and vainly try to move his head away. Rose chuckled softly as he moved back slightly
and continued. �So, are the rumors
true? Is the legendary king as good in
bed as everyone says he is? I�d ask you
how he measures up to me, but you never gave me the chance to fuck you for
comparison,� he spat bitterly.

�No, it�s
not like that. I didn�t sleep with him,�
Ryo pleaded desperately in his and Dee�s defense, finally daring to meet Rose�s
cold penetrating eyes.

�Don�t lie
to me, Ryo. Did you immediately throw
yourself at him like a drunken whore or did you bat your eyelashes first like
the little slut that you are?� Rose seethed as he traced the bruised mark on
the juncture between Ryo�s neck and collarbone that Dee had so lovingly
bestowed upon him in the throes of expressing his passion. Dee�s comforting presence was but a distant
memory to Ryo now as Rose continued his verbal assault. �You let him tarnish you willingly! Why didn�t you kill him when you had the
chance? Then you would not be forced to endure
this unnecessary hardship that I must so regretfully impart on your beautiful
body,� Rose admonished him.

�I
couldn�t bring myself to kill him. There
was just something about him that was different from any of my other
targets. He doesn�t have the eyes of a
killer. If you had been there, you�d
understand. My parents were killed
before Dee even came to power. You have
the wrong man. Dee did not kill
them. Dee has never killed anyone in
cold blood. You have to believe me,� Ryo
entreated.

�Oh and
why would I believe someone who has fallen victim to the enemy�s words? Dee was only using you in an attempt to
defeat me. I tried to tell you, Ryo, but
you didn�t heed my warning. Now you must
pay for that mistake. I made you and I
can break you. Those who cross me will
not go unpunished,� Rose threatened as he raised the whip under Ryo�s chin and
tilted his face up. Ryo struggled
valiantly against the chains that bound him, but Diana had done too good a job
of securing them.

Ryo glared
at Rose coldly and spat at him in disgust.
�Go ahead � do whatever you want to me.
It still won�t change how I feel about Dee. I refuse to kill him,� he said boldly.

Seeing the
look of defiance present in the gorgeous honey-blond�s
deep eyes, Rose relented slightly. He
would prolong this man�s agony and ultimately break him in both body and
spirit, presenting him with an offer that he could not refuse but would be
hesitant to accept nonetheless. He
smiled triumphantly and continued, �However, I am a reasonable man. I like you, Ryo. Very much.
You have served me well. I will
give you a choice � pleasure or pain.
It�s up to you. Either way, I
will derive enjoyment from it in the end.�
He moved his face closer to Ryo�s and pressed his imposing frame against
Ryo�s body, causing Ryo to flinch. �Make
your choice.�

�What do
the choices entail?� Ryo asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. He had a feeling that he would have to choose
the lesser of two evils. Rose was not
known for showing his victims any mercy.

�Well, you
can either allow me to fuck your sweet ass or you can be whipped and beaten
until you no longer have the strength to stand.
Consider it a gauntlet. If you
survive through either one, then you are free to go. Oh, and either way, the chains stay on,� Rose
said matter-of-factly, cracking the whip in the air while running his hand over
Ryo�s hip to roughly caress and squeeze his backside, hinting of what he had to
offer him. Ever since he had taken Ryo
in, he had always lusted after the shy beauty.
Even when he was with Diana, he had fantasized that he was driving into
Ryo�s glorious body, and had almost gone to his tent late at night to have his
way with him on a few occasions, despite the honey-blond�s
obvious distaste for him.

�I will
never let you take me,� Ryo whispered quietly in defiance, his midnight eyes
blazing with a renewed fury. He knew then
that he had sealed his fate, but he had nothing to live for. If he could not be with the one man who had
melted the walls of his heart with his kindness, then he was better off dead
rather than shielding his heart from emotion again and living a lie.

Rose
narrowed his icy blue eyes and pulled Ryo close to him, one hand around his
waist and the other one clutching the back of his head. He fiercely captured Ryo�s lips with his own
and pushed his harsh tongue past Ryo�s lips, raping his mouth. �Nnnnnhhhh,� Ryo
protested, squirming in Rose�s iron grasp and trying frantically to stop the
unwelcome violation. Rose only clutched
Ryo�s firm ass tighter and pressed his body into Ryo�s, letting him feel his
straining arousal. Finally breaking the
kiss for air, Rose pulled away and was pleased to see unmistakable fear in
Ryo�s dark eyes and angry red marks from his hand surfacing on Ryo�s neck. He backed away and began to run his hands
roughly over Ryo�s lithe body, reveling in the fact that he could finally
satiate his forbidden desires and desecrate Ryo�s very soul.

Ryo
squirmed in revulsion and disgust at the feel of Rose�s intruding possessive
hands that roamed all over his body, touching him everywhere and lingering in
the most intimate of places. As Rose�s
hands found their way down his body to roughly caress the tender flesh that
hung between the apex of his thighs, Ryo turned his head and closed his dark
eyes, willing the disturbing contact to end.
�Please stop,� he desperately implored.
Rose�s only response was to squeeze him harder, tightening his grasp on
the most sensitive part of Ryo. �Uuuhh!� Ryo gasped in pain as tears welled up in his
beautiful eyes.

Rose�s
sinister eyes were devoid of all emotion as he looked at Ryo and maliciously
spat out harsh accusations at the helpless honey-blond as he moved
threateningly in back of him, breathing hotly down his neck. Ryo did not know what Rose would do to him
next as his vision was impeded. The
shackles that bound him did not allow him to turn his head to see behind
him. �Traitor! Do you take me for a fool? You insolent whore! After all I�ve done for you? I�ve taken you in and given you food and
shelter, and how do you repay me? By
allying with a known enemy and plotting against me. Did you think that I wouldn�t find out? How long did you think that you could keep up
this masquerade of deception?� Rose bellowed fiercely as he backed away from
Ryo and ran the length of his whip between his hand, letting its smooth texture
slide through his fingers.

Rose
raised the whip above his head and cracked it against Ryo�s bare back again and
again in frustration and hatred, causing Ryo to cry out in pain and anguish
with each strike. Rose had always been
able to get anything he desired, until he had met Ryo. He was determined to make Ryo pay the
ultimate price for his defiance. The
searing pain bit deep into the disobedient assassin�s flesh as his infuriated
superior continued to whip him. Even in
this dark hour, Ryo still would not give in to him and admit that he had been
wrong about Dee.

Silent
tears ran down Ryo�s cheeks as he seemed to beg for his life with his
expressive eyes, although he knew that his plea was in vain. No one could help him now. The instrument of destruction carved its bitter
venom of evil into his smooth flesh with a biting fury and lashed against his
back relentlessly. Crimson rivers of
blood appeared in erratic patterns on his back and dripped down to puddle
underneath him as Rose continued to beat and taunt him. Ryo�s body hung limp as his legs suddenly
gave out, unable to support his own weight, from the bombarding sensations of
pain that resonated throughout every fiber of his being.

Ryo
steeled himself against the inevitable pain that accompanied each lash of the
whip as it was brought against his body.
His deep liquid eyes centered on the single candle that provided the
only source of light in the forbidding room.
The flickering candlelight danced off the canvas walls and illuminated
the room in an eerie glow, projecting distorted shadows behind Ryo that only
heightened his fear of not knowing where or when Rose was going to strike
next. He pushed these thoughts out of
his mind. He could not let Rose
win. He would not give the man the
satisfaction of seeing him crumble, knowing that he was the one to finally
break him and shatter his iron will.

Ryo
focused on the candle, its inviting flame beckoning him to a place that spoke
of no pain. Ryo became numb to the
physical pain of his body and concentrated on expanding his mind, visualizing
pleasant thoughts that spoke of a time and place far away from where he
was. The pain subsided as his mind
transcended the limitations of all physical barriers. Ryo remembered his parents, a fleeting memory
of happier times long past in this world filled with hardship. He remembered their loving embrace and the
times that they had comforted him with the thought that they would always have
each other, no matter if even the whole world was against them.

The only
other person in his life who had shown comparable kindness and affection
towards him was the charismatic ebony-haired king, Dee. He pictured Dee�s smoldering emerald eyes
that revealed the depths of his soul, his silky raven hair that fell so
carelessly across his handsome face, and his seductively charming smile that
caused Ryo to go weak-kneed if he was captivated for too long under its
enchanting spell. He would get through
this ordeal for himself and for Dee. He
had come to the realization that he cared for Dee very much, and Ryo would be
damned if he would let Rose deprive him of letting him tell the other man his
feelings and listen to how Dee felt about him in turn. No, Ryo relented, he already knew how Dee
felt about him. He had been unwilling to
admit it to himself before, but he now knew that Dee�s attraction to him was
different from Rose�s, possibly more than just lust. No matter how Rose tried to break him, he
would not succeed as long as Ryo clung onto the hope that Dee possibly loved
him and would be waiting for his return.
In that instant, Ryo vowed that if he survived Rose�s gauntlet, he would
go back to stay with Dee, if the raven-haired man would still have him. A small smile of hope flitted across his
lips, replacing his previous look of fear and despair.

Suddenly,
Ryo was jolted out of his pleasant thoughts as Rose slapped him once more
across his beautiful face, causing another bruise to form on his wounded
cheek. Ryo focused his dark eyes on the
man now standing before him as Rose spoke.
�Are you even paying attention to me?� he shouted in a voice dripping
with venom as he moved closer to the candle and picked up a pair of tongs lying
on the ground. �You deceiving little
slut! You are such a fucking tease,
Ryo! Well, I�ll show you. If you survive this, you can go crawling back
to your new master. Then every time Dee
fucks you, he will see this as a remembrance of who you really belong to,� Rose
hissed as he held his ring over the flame of the candle with the tongs,
twirling them with malicious intent in his cold eyes.

The metal
seemed to glow with the tangible white-hot fire of his fury as he moved closer
to Ryo and held the ring in front of Ryo�s eyes. �Look at the pattern on this ring and
remember it well. This is the symbol that
will signify my reign and all who serve me or belong to me will be remembered
by it. You can never escape me, Ryo,� he
growled possessively as he lowered the gleaming ring towards Ryo�s body where
his inner thigh met his hip.

�Wh-what are you doing?� Ryo asked fearfully as his dark
eyes widened, trying desperately to move away from the heat that the ring
emanated against his body and desperately clawing at his restraints. His heart pounded against the walls of his
chest in a deafening rhythm and he trembled despite knowing that Rose�s
punishment was inevitable.

�Marking
what belongs to me,� Rose hissed triumphantly as he pushed the hot metal
against Ryo�s sensitive flesh, the scorching pain igniting every nerve ending
as the instrument of destruction sizzled excruciatingly deep into his
skin. A plaintive whimper escaped Ryo�s
lips that turned into a full-fledged scream of pain as the ring continued to
lick away at his tender flesh, forever branding him with its wicked
symbol. He writhed in agony as tears
streamed down his face and he recoiled to the limits of his chains as Rose
pried the ring from his scorched flesh and smiled in satisfaction at the mark
that stood out brazenly against his tender raw skin that was now swelling from
irritation.

Ryo hung
his head in disgrace. The symbol of his
betrayal would be forever etched onto his body for anyone to see, especially if
they were involved with him intimately.
His body had been marked like a piece of property, forever binding him
to his past allegiance with the murderous Rose.
How could he move forward with his life when he was reminded of his past
transgressions every time he looked into the mirror? How could anyone love him now that he was
tainted with shame? He had been
dishonored, his battered body forever carrying the scars of his past no matter
how noble his intentions had been. He
had no place to go. No one would take
him in now, knowing that he was allied with a known enemy of the king. Shattered and desecrated, for the first time
in his life Ryo gave into despair and relinquished his will to live.

As the
defiance slowly drained from Ryo�s broken body, Rose raised his hand and
backhanded him across the face once again.
Ryo did not even move or cry out as he felt Rose pummel his chest and
abdomen with his iron fists, causing ugly bruises to form beneath his
flesh. His deep midnight eyes, once so
full of life and hope, were glazed over with a dull resignation of one who has
accepted his destiny in the tapestry that fate had woven for him and is
powerless to change it. �I�m sorry Dee,�
Ryo thought ruefully. �I�ve failed
you. I was not worthy of your
affections. Please live your life in a
way you can be proud of, like you always have.
It�s better this way if you find another to rule by your side. I would only cause you unnecessary hardships,
complications, and grief.� Ryo hung his
head in despair and shame as he closed his eyes, attempting to shut out the pain
that burned his very soul.

Rose
surveyed Ryo�s state of surrender with satisfaction. The honey-blond had paid the ultimate price
for his defiance. The shackles that
bound Ryo were his body�s only support, the once-determined assassin now
consumed by his feelings of worthlessness as he hung unmoving from his
chains. Rose quickly walked over to Ryo,
putting his hand under Ryo�s chin and tilting his face up, the candlelight
wavering in protest at the sudden breeze created from his swift movements. Shadows fell across Ryo�s tear-streaked face
as Rose�s taller frame stood over him and studied him with pity. �So beautiful,� Rose murmured regretfully as
he let Ryo�s chin drop before walking away.
�You should have chosen pleasure.�

With that,
he picked up the whip and tongs and tossed them into a corner as he surveyed
Ryo�s battered and bruised body, the man barely conscious as Diana came in to
unlock the shackles that bound his wrists and ankles before latching onto
Rose�s proffered arm. Rose and Diana
sauntered away without a backwards glance.

Free from
his restraints at last, Ryo collapsed onto the floor writhing in agony as he
struggled to force air into his lungs, every breath compelling his chest to
expand and constrict painfully as rivers of blood seeped from his numerous
wounds and ran over his sweat-soaked skin.
�I�m so sorry, Dee,� he breathed softly as he fought to remain
conscious, trembling and wrapping his arms around himself in a protective
instinct, his body and spirit wavering on the delicate balance of the precipice
between life and death as he resignedly settled on his side on the cold hard
ground and closed his dark eyelashes over his beautiful eyes. He had nothing left to live for.

__________________________________________________________

Rose and
Diana entered their tent arm in arm.
Diana lit a candle on the table where Rose�s maps and battle plans were,
illuminating the room in a soft inviting glow.
Rose collapsed onto the bed and put his hands over his face, sighing
wearily as he sank against the pillows.

�What�s
wrong?� Diana ventured hesitantly, knowing that the warlord�s volatile temper
could lead to sudden unpredictable outbursts.
She did not want to invoke his wrath after she had just witnessed his
methods of dealing with those who dared to defy him.

�Nothing,
Dee Dee,� Rose said, sitting up and offering her a
troubled smile. �Such troublesome
matters should not spoil the thrill of crushing an enemy within our
midst.� Seeing the frown that spread
across her pretty face, Rose relented withholding what was troubling him. �I was just contemplating what to do with the
body of the traitor. Perhaps if we sent
it to Dee, it might draw him into battle.
I feel that the army is at last ready to hold their own against his
soldiers in a direct confrontation.
Victory will be ours at last. I can
almost taste it,� Rose practically salivated.

A sudden
flicker of realization crossed his face and his brow furrowed in annoyance as
he remarked, �However, there is one small matter that I must attend to before
proceeding with my strategy. I want to
crush Dee completely. The only way to do
that is to destroy everything that he values in his life before finally ending
his miserable existence. I�ll attack
from all angles. I must exploit his
weaknesses and render him defenseless in mind and body. Yes, I will send his beloved Ryo�s body to
him. If he lets his emotions get the
better of him, he will be unable to concentrate in battle and will surely ruin
all chances of victory that his army may have had.�

�I�d like
to help you. If there�s anything that
you�d like me to do, all you have to do is ask,� Diana purred, laying down on
the bed beside Rose and stretching her long legs sensually.

Rose
noticed her gesture with an appreciative gaze as his eyes lit up. She was playing right into his hand. �Do what you do best - seduce him,� Rose
commanded. �Weaken his body�s
defenses. Destroy his every last vestige
until the powerful king and his legacy are reduced to no more than a whisper of
a memory. Send Dee to hell. Do this and I will make you my Queen to rule
by my side when I become King.�

�I will
not fail you, my Lord,� Diana vowed, her eyes sparkling with delight at the
challenge as she changed into traveling clothes. She picked up a dagger, a vial of poison, and
her assassin�s apparel, putting them into a sack which she slung over her
shoulder.

Diana knew
that if she were to successfully complete this mission, she would exclusively
belong to Rose at last. It was
everything she�d always wanted. The only
obstacle that stood between her and the realization of her life�s ambitions and
desires was one man � Dee. This was
almost too easy. No man was immune to
her charms. She could not possibly
fail. With a triumphant smile, she
pressed her soft lips against Rose�s with devotion and exited the tent. �For us,� she pledged in parting, turning to
set off on her journey that would quite possibly decide the fate of a kingdom.

Rose
watched Diana go, the tent flap closing silently behind her. He blew out the candle and retreated to his
bed, closing his emotionless blue eyes and settling under the covers. The last words that escaped his lips before
he fell asleep reflected no remorse concerning his manipulation of others. �No Diana, for me.�

________________________________________________________

Ryo�s
obsidian eyes flew open and ignited with a blazing fire as he desperately
willed his prone body to move. However,
the physical pain of his injuries made this feat impossible as he raised
himself up slightly and then collapsed onto the hard surface of the dirt
floor. He had heard every word that
passed between Rose and Diana while he was drifting in and out of
consciousness. It may have been a
delusion, but Ryo wasn�t about to take any chances. How could he have been so foolish as to think
that Rose would give up that easily after he had defied the warlord? Rose wanted Dee dead at all costs, no matter
whose life he had to sacrifice.

�Dee,� Ryo murmured softly, his throat
parched and raw from the agony of his torment.
His body hurt so much, more than he could have ever imagined someone
could endure and still be alive. He
crawled forward an inch, his hand flexing in an attempt to grasp onto anything
and drag his body along as his stomach and chest scraped along the rough
ground, amplifying his anguish. Ryo
gritted his teeth and winced as another wave of pain shot through his battered
body. Just a little more, he told
himself. He had to keep pushing on, for
if he gave up even for an instant, he knew that he would never have the
strength to continue.

One
thought drove his entire being forward, his firm resolve forcing his mind to
compel his body to continually defy all physical protests. Dee needed him, and he needed Dee, no matter how desecrated he
was. In the instant that the light from
Rose�s tent had been extinguished, Ryo had found a new will to live. �Dee, I have to see you one last time. I need to warn you. Oh God, I hope I�m not too late,� Ryo
whispered fervently as he slowly pushed himself forward despite the sensations
of overwhelming pain coursing throughout his entire body.

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Shattered Illusions