Silver Tinted Love

A/N: Hello all! Greetings from the unbelieveably FREEZING Kofu Japan in Yamanaashi prefecture. I absolutely apologixe on bended knee for the absolutely appaling amount of time that it took me to post this. What between japan, computer problems, insane writer's block and a truck accident, I've been rather busy and looking for excuses to yell at people in english (I hate and love this language, its so needlessly complicated but it's rather fun when you know what you're being told in japanese)

So here we go with chapter six, because I have little to say

Disclaimer: Dragon Knights people/places/things/concepts are not mine. They belong to the author and no money is being made off of this piece of fiction. it exists for pure sadistic enjoyment.

The following belong to me: the laptop this exists on, Pegasus, the idea of the purity, the mages and the hierarchy of the natural gods.

A BIG HUGE WONDERFUL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING!!!!!:

All of the reviewers, I love you all with the platonic love of friendship and respect.

Tigress Whitestrip who is quite helpful with both ideas and constructive critism.

VannaGirl/RuneRathThatz who helped me IMMENSELY by beta reading this chapter and helping with some horrible sentence structure I had. I kiss the ground she walks upon.

That is all

Chapter 6:

Nature fled through the darkness to the void that was the waiting place. Her bare feet made no noise against the invisible floor. Harsh breath came from her thin, rose colored lips. Braided and ornamented hair fell from its bindings, tumbling down the back of her dress, a gown that was the color of the winter trees, seeing as winter was quite near. Oh please hold on, child!

She ceased her race. Frozen in her tracks, never sliding across the darkened floor, merely staring down at the body before her. His soul was tattered, abused and weak. The innocence of him was tainted now; it looked as though he were fading into the black. But he was still here. Nature would make sure of that. She would not let something beyond his control strip him from those he depended on. Not ever…

Dropping to her knees, she took the Purity into her arms. The skin of her body often changed depending on her mood. It was the same pale white as the birch now, matching the worry she felt as she held the whimpering soul. The hushing that came from her was sweet, her long fingers brushed the strands of hair from his face. The butterflies that adorned her redwood hair fluttered close to her emerald eyes, watching him as well.

“Hush pets…” she said to them, brushing them back with a clink of her chartreuse berry bracelet. The fluttering creatures continued to swarm about him and Nature could not contain a maternal smile. “He’ll be alright….with a lot of time and a lot of love.” He whimpered in her arms and she cradled him. Motherhood. As Nature, she was the mother, and would care for him as such. Rocking him back and forth in her arms like a babe, she whispered a soft song in his ear. It was one that only those linked to nature could ever understand. He calmed, just a bit. There we go…that’s it, sweet child, rest…you’re safe now…things will be quiet for you here at least. Just rest.

Of course, how could she promise something that was not in her control?

“Oh Nature no! It IS true!” A voice, unmistakably bright even in terror, squeaked. Nature recognized it almost immediately.

Water sank to her knees a little ways away from them. Her large, pond-like eyes welled with grief stricken tears. They flowed like the rain down her round, almost adult face. Burying her face in her hands, her head shook forcefully. The blue locks swished, soaking the air for but a moment, shimmering like a mist. Water was beautiful, even when miserable. The sobs she gave sounded like a lonesome creek. When she laughed, she sounded like the babbling brook.

“…Water calm yourself.” Nature said kindly though she wanted to cry as well. Yet, she had to remain strong. Water was a wild, emotional creature and needed to know, from Nature and Nature alone, that things would be well. “Dry yourself Water.”

She hiccupped but complied, soaking her tears back into herself. Suddenly quiet, she waited. With a smile Nature beckoned her to come. Water stood. She was not a tall creature, not as tall as Nature but she was thin and powerful. Gentle as well. The footsteps she took were somewhat quick, the skirt catching slightly around her legs as it dragged along the floor. Nature smiled at it a bit. A perfect replica of the oceans the cloth was, masking their crashing waves in the folds of the design. Hair of mist, tears of rain, eyes of ponds, voice of streams and brooks and creeks, dress of the ocean. What a creature Water was. A perfect portrait of her element.

“The poor boy…what did they do to him…” She asked meekly, kneeling at the other side of him. Those eyes watched him like a little girl’s. Water was so innocent sometimes, though not the least bit naive. Nature looked down at the Purity sadly.

“…Nadil has broken him. The poor dear.”

“Nadil…” Water hissed. The great seas of her gown churned and raged. “He will PAY for hurting so sweet a boy!”

“Calm, Water…”

“Yes Nature.” Water said quickly, letting her anger cool. She looked at Nature then held out her arms, eyes begging her to let her hold him. Nature smiled and willingly gave him to her. It looked like she wanted to giggle at the permission but she knew better. Water cradled him herself. His head rested comfortably on her chest, his body limp and wounded but sitting on her lap. Nature couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

Water was practically petting the boy, the Purity Pegasus. Her tiny fingers glided over his matted hair. Soaking it then drying it, straightening it, playing with it. It was very cute. She had a strong hold on him but only to let him know he was safe. It wasn’t going to hurt him at all. Whistling softly, she kissed his forehead tenderly, cooing to him in a sweet little voice. Like a little mortal girl playing with her favorite doll. It’s a shame she doesn’t get the chance to help him as much as she would like. He doesn’t even have to ask her, she’ll always be there in the water where he is. Water loves him, like he really was a little doll for her to cherish. Its quite cute.

“How did you get him out?” Water asked, not taking her eyes off Pegasus. They all had realized that Pegasus had been trapped in Nadil’s palace; they had each felt it the moment his body entered that place. Yet, Water was not aware as to how Nature had helped him escape. She suspected few of them actually understood what had happened there, at the moment at least. Well she hoped so anyway. If they knew what she had done, then they would know that the intricate laws had been broken, for the first time in many eons.

“Well…” Nature began. She wasn’t sure how to word it. Fortunately she didn’t have to. A warm breeze blew through. Ah he’s here now. Good.

That simple breeze signaled his arrival. Water broke her gaze from Pegasus and looked to the source with a smile on her face. One of admiration. Wind stood as he always did. Awkward, as though he believed he had no true right to be there. One hand rubbed the opposite arm nervously, and he didn’t look up at either of them.

“Hello Wind.” Nature called. He nodded.

“Hi Wind. Did you hear what happened to him? Poor Pegasus, that mean old Nadil is going to get it, he can mark my words on that!” Water said hotly. Nature smiled vaguely at her before reverting her gaze back to Wind.

He nodded, slowly. Unsure. His gaze finally pulled itself up from the ground to grace them with a complete stare. Wind was the youngest of them, he was the last element to be created for the mortal realm. He was also the simplest. Wind, the element itself, had no tangible form. But that did not mean he was not at all handsome. Quite the contrary. The clothes he wore were in the palest of grays, almost matching the color of his whitish gray skin. They were elaborate in a way, more like the clothes of those of the Dragon Clan, perhaps a way to make him some what distinguishable. His thin hands clasped behind his back as he straightened to make himself seem more at ease. Still he slouched a bit with worry, as he always did. The dark gray hair fell softly around his face, blocking his eyes. His eyes held the only noticeable color of his being. They were such a brilliant willow green in shade. Clearing his throat nervously, he lowered his head once more. He was quiet. He had always been quiet, like a ghost floating among them. Being master of an element without a tangible form made him as such. Meek, submissive, almost depressed. His view of himself was low. Dejected. Nature refused to believe what he did though. You are simply confused, my poor Wind. You think you are weaker and less important than us. When can I make you see this isn’t so?

“What’s wrong Wind? You seem more moody than usual.” Water mumbled. Wind didn’t answer. There was a low sort of mumble that came from him, something neither could understand. “What?”

“Come now, Wind. Speak up. You know you can with us.” Nature smiled. Wind lifted his head and looked from Pegasus to Nature with grave concern.

“…They’re going to be angry, mother.” he said softly.

There was yet another little quirk about Wind; he was the only one to ever call Nature “mother.” It was a cute thing that he did. In truth, Nature was no more important than any of the others. She was simply the first element created for the realm. She was linked to all of them because they all were part of nature itself. Wind was nothing less or more than any of them. He was their equal, even if he did not believe it himself. Nature couldn’t help but pity him and his lack of self-confidence. He has to believe that I am like a mother to him. It seems like the only comfort the dear has…though I do understand. Wind was trapped in a strange form, the same awkward era that mortals went through in adolescent years. It was perhaps worse than those of the mortal adolescents, seeing as they grew from such awkwardness and he would not. Being plain among them and believing he was weak and unworthy did not help matters either.

“Do not worry about that Wind.” Nature told him. He said nothing, simply watched her with almost sad eyes. Brushing off her skirts, she went to him and wrapped her arms about his neck, pulled him down to place a motherly kiss on his pale cheek. “Don’t think about that.”

“…But they will be furious at me, mother.” Wind said after the small smile from the kiss faded away under the weight of his worry. Nature knew whom he meant. The grip she had on him tightened to assure him.

“They have no reason to be. You only did what I asked you to do.” Nature insisted. In truth, she could not say that she was not worried about their reactions herself. After all, she had told Wind to break the most ancient and intricate laws. They had helped a broken Purity. This will not be a pleasant meeting…

“WIND!!!” A furious voice snarled. Heat engulfed the place, both Pegasus and Wind wincing in its wake. Ah, here comes the hot head now. Marvelous.

“Hot head” was the perfect nickname for the ardent and temperamental Fire. True, it was generic and clichéd but it certainly fit him. He stormed into the darkness of the waiting place with fire dancing in his eyes and about his form. Wind took a hesitant step back from him though his face remained somewhat calm. Fire stormed up to him. His red hair spiked and flowed with his temper, mimicking the look and colors of the inferno. Fire’s skin was a beautiful reddish hue, a pale rosy color that was wonderful to look at. At least when he wasn’t fuming.

“You miserable little bastard!” Fire snarled. Wind said nothing as Fire’s deep yellow eyes drove into the timid green. “How DARE you!!” The clothing he wore rippled and seemingly smoked from the changing colors, grays and blacks mixing with the reds and yellows. “How dare you!! I ought to burn you alive!!”

“Fire!!” Water hissed. Fire turned on her and Wind took the chance to put distance between them. “You shut your mouth!” She looked down at Pegasus with a sad smile. The boy was trembling terribly. “You’re scaring him…”

“…What are you doing?” Fire demanded after the initial shock wore off. The steps he took towards her were faltering, even if his eyes were angry. “Why is he here? In your arms?”

“Because, Fire, he needs me. He needs us.” Water answered, glaring back and holding Pegasus tightly to her.

“He has lost his power! His innocence is broken, and because of that we are to revoke our aid to him! And you’re holding him!?”

“Yes Fire I am. You want to make something of it?” she demanded. Fire and Water had the appearance of siblings. Of twins actually. Both clearly of a body at the age of twenty-one, they glared daggers at one another. Nature sighed and rubbed her temples. This was going to give her a headache, she knew it.

“HE IS NO LONGER A PURITY!!! THE BOY DOES NOT DESERVE OUR SERVICES!!” Fire thundered. A lot of whimpers came from Pegasus who was nuzzling further into Water.

“You yell one more time and I’ll-”

“Calm down the both of you.” A calmer, older voice said. Nature smiled, relaxed now. Earth pulled Fire back away from Water with a powerful grip. “That’s enough.”

“Hello Earth.”

“Hello Nature, it has been some time, hasn’t it?” Earth said with a respectful smile.

If Nature was the mother then Earth certainly took on the appearance of the father. He wasn’t an imposing individual, though his height and the cool, stubborn, no nonsense look on his face could make one believe it. Vaguely cheerful dark eyes, dark as obsidian, smiled at her out of a sculpted face. The skin was the color of a pale granite, the face haloed with sandy colored hair that was pulled back loosely. Straightening his clothes, he looked about at them. Nature marveled at his garments as she marveled at the others. A perfect representation of the great peaks, the deserts, the forest floors, the rocky barrens. Earth took a seat on the floor.

“Well it seems we are all here now.” Earth commented. It was true, they were all present. Wind standing off on his own in silence and shyness. Fire casting angry glares between Water, Pegasus, and Wind, remaining quiet and in the spot Earth had moved him to. Water sitting on her knees cradling Pegasus in her arms. Earth sitting proper on the floor. Nature standing straight back and looking at the rest. Yes, now they could begin.

“You all know why were are here, do you not?” Nature started. There were nods coming from all, some more noticeable than others. “Good then one part’s out of the way. Now then-”

“Why is he here?” Fire asked. The anger was no longer in his voice. It was a good thing he was keeping it in check.

“What do you mean?” Nature asked. This was not the direction she meant the conversation to go in.

“You know what I mean, Nature. He is no longer a Purity. His innocence is gone, his mind is snapping. He is not suppose to be here and we are not supposed to be comforting an ex-purity who has been tainted by the demon lord.”

“Not like its his fault.” Water argued.

“How is it not? He knew very well that only through a level of consent could his purity be maintained. He said ‘no’ plain and simple and lost it all. This mean that we cannot help him.”

“While I do not agree with the way Fire has stated the facts,” Earth started. He gave a small glare to Fire; Nature knew very well that Earth liked Pegasus as much as any of them did. “I must agree that because he refused, the innocence was taken. And that means that our aid must be revoked. That is how it is.”

“But how can we?” Water asked. “Its not his fault.”

“He said no. A Purity knows that saying no means not giving consent and that’s rape or sodomy or harassment, whatever.” Fire said.

“But this is different. Pegasus is different then the other Purities. He’s-”

“A male, we know.” Fire sighed. Water glared at him.

“Don’t finish my sentences unless you know what I am going to say, Fire.” Water snapped at him. Nature and Earth snickered softly and the faintest of smiles crossed Wind’s lips. She cleared her throat. “As I was saying, he’s in love.” The flames of anger that had been in Fire’s eyes dissipated and he stared at her in astonishment.

“….You have got to be kidding me.”

“I am not. He could not say yes because he couldn’t do that to Rath or to Kai-stern. He loves them too much to give consent to that jerk Nadil. How can we penalize him for being loyal to them?”

“Rath doesn’t even like him!” Fire snapped.

“Rath is confused, Fire.” Earth said simply. Fire stared at him. With the vaguest of smiles, Earth folded his hands in front of his lips as he thought and spoke. “Though I believe that he’s true feelings are starting to surface. After all, he is traveling Kainaldia, looking for Pegasus.”

“See? See?” Water said.

“Well Kai-stern is dead! So it wouldn’t make sense for him to not say yes for a dead man!” Fire argued.

“You have obviously never been in love…” Wind mumbled. Fire turned on him.

“What was that?!”

“Nothing…”

“You leave Wind alone, Fire.” Water hissed. “At least he knows we’re suppose to help him.”

“We’re not suppose to help him! He wasn’t suppose to save him from that fall, he was suppose to die since he tried to kill himself! He is not a Purity!!” Fire yelled.

“Fire…” Nature warned with a noticeable frown.

“But Nature, he has broken our laws.”

“Only because I asked him to Fire. In truth, it was I who broke the law, Wind simply carried out my wishes, like a good son.” Nature smiled at him. She was graced with a sweet smile from Wind at her praise.

“He is not a Purity any longer!” Fire insisted. This was bothersome. This wasn’t why she called them all here. Nature planned on continuing to aid Pegasus no matter what but this was not helping her tell them what she brought them for. Turning on Fire, the power she normally kept hidden raged.

“Listen here Fire!” she hissed. “I do not care what you think is because I am going to tell you what truly is! Yes, he didn’t give consent and yes, in the days before we would have revoked our aid without thought but not now! He is a Purity, and what’s more, the most impressive Purity that we will see for eons! Completely pure of heart, unable to feel malice or hate, and what more one who knows love! And I am not about to lose another one like him to insanity and suicide! It is time that we change the rules, Fire, since I refuse to let him live without the aid of us, which he has grown to depend on and love! These rules are going to change, and now!”

She knew very well how powerful her words could be. And when spoken in such a tone, in such righteous anger, there were few who would not fall in line under them. Silence greeted her, silence and the vague looks of understanding. Water smiled brilliantly at her, mouthing her thanks and admiration as she rocked the quiet Pegasus in her arms. Wind’s face had an elusive smile on it that seemed to say “I thought that myself finally but you said it far better than I could’ve. Kudos.” Earth was nodding quietly, a miniscule glint of amusement in his eyes. And he had all the reason to have the glint. Fire, thoroughly cowed, was nodding dumbly with wide, timid, please-don’t-kill-me eyes.

“Now that that is out of the way,” Nature said surprisingly calm. “I suppose we should at least cast it to a vote, just to make sure we eliminate any and all possible conversations on the matter.” She stared at Fire deliberately. “So then, I suppose by show of hands, we are to continue to give him our aid and call him a Purity, disregarding the lack of consent in that one act.”

One by one they each raised their right hand. Nature’s was first, followed quickly by Water who would have been hopping up and down had it not been for Pegasus. Wind’s hand raised rather hesitantly, but everything he did was rather hesitant. Earth’s raised long enough to be noted then fell and he watched Fire. Fire, still terrified of Nature’s rage, raised a meek hand, staring into his feet with amazing focus.

“Then it is decided.” she said simply. “We are still his allies and will remain so until the end of his life. And that is that.”

“Do you hear that, Pegasus?” Water cooed softly. She hugged him gently. “We will always be your ally. Water will always hold and keep you.” She rested her head against his, blue hair lightly touching his face.

“Fire will always comfort and light the world for you.” Fire said and knelt beside him. The look on his face was soft and comforting. So it is not as though he hates the boy.

“Earth shall always hold steady beneath your feet and keep you on the path.” Earth assured him, moving closer to the others, standing beside Nature. They exchanged a brief smile.

“…Wind shall carry you when you ask, and assure your worth in soft voices…” he said softly. The distance between them and Wind closed, not by much but now he was close enough that one could tell he was a member of the group. Finally, Nature went to one knee and kissed Pegasus’ forehead, whispering softly in his ear.

“And Nature will shelter you and love you, as the mother that Nature is. We will keep you safe, young one. There is nothing to fear now.” There was a heavy silence from all parties now. Not even Pegasus whimpered. Nature smiled at the peacefulness on his face till it faded. Faded along with the soul body of the young Purity.

“Wh…Where did he go?” Water asked. Wind looked off into some distance they could not see.

“…Rath has found him and roused him enough to gain a moment of consciousness. He’ll be safe in Rath’s protection.”

“Well that is good. Now we can get to the real reason I sent for you all.” Nature sighed.

“…You mean Pegasus wasn’t it?” Water asked, Fire just barely behind her.

“No he wasn’t. That was just a topic we digressed onto.” Nature said. She straightened and smoothed her skirt. “The thing of the matter is, that the two of them need to be there. So, I propose creating a new body.”

“…Well we already broke numerous laws and changed them,” Fire smirked slightly. “I suppose one more couldn’t hurt.” The others agreed in their own ways and Nature thanked the heavens that gave her life and form that this was a much easier thing for them to agree on. We don’t have a lot of time to complete this in.

“Very well then. We begin immediately.”

It wasn’t a difficult task. Since he had already made himself known in the waiting place, it was just a matter of locating him again. After several moments of searching, Nature found the spirit she had been looking for. One cut down in its prime, in the line of not only duty but in its own desires. A shame really but now he would have a second chance. He had to have this chance if things were going to go as planned and the Dragon Clan was going to be alright. Using the simplest of spells, she took hold of the wild spirit. It was worried, angry. It had its reason to be. She let the spirit settle in the center of them; they had made a small sort of pentacle with Nature at its head. Now we can truly begin.

Earth was the first to step up. It was only natural. Earth was the building blocks of ground and of the cities and mountains. Only fitting that he would be the first step in creating a new body.

“A new body, worthy of one such as you. Strong as the very mountain stone, flawed only as it was flawed once before. White as the sand, smooth as the marble, Earth shapes you, let it be as it was before death’s hand robbed you of it. Let it be done.” As the words passed Earth’s lips, the spell began to take its form. It bent and shaped to the words, letting his will be done and creating a perfect replica of the spirit’s former body. The body was glowing but it was not the glow of life. At least not yet.

“A body is not whole without the waters that sustain and give life, without the waters that mark one as a mortal as you once wore. Let the liquid of life flow through you. Water to keep you, blood to sustain you, and tears for you to weep in joy, fear, anger, or pain. Let it be so.” Soft magic flowed from Water and enveloped the still form. It settled on his skin, like a red mist, before fading into the flesh itself and giving it some color so that one could tell where the hair ended and the skin began.

“A mortal needs the fire. To warm the skin enough to live. To make the heart wild yet controlled. To fuel your drive, to make real your desires, to shape your destiny, to make known your courage. Fire warms and welcomes you, drives you and restricts you. Fire is in you. Let it flow.” The flames poured out of him as he spoke. They surrounded the still body, engulfed it. Made the skin glow brightly before settling and vanishing, much like the water of life had done.

“A mortal is a part of nature, be he human, fairy, yokai, or dragon. And as a piece of nature, one must have nature in one’s spirit. To govern the views of right and wrong, to lay down the ideas of morals. To connect you to the world around you, to open your eyes to the needs of other pieces of nature. Nature whispers softly in your mind and heart and soul, puts you on the path and holds you. Let it be true.” Essences of nature engrained themselves into the confines of his mind and heart and soul. The former views of morality and kinship, of love and life renewed themselves in this new form. Nature, smiling down at the body, had to admit that this was the best that they had ever done, by far. Now there was only one last piece to the puzzle, so to speak.

“…Wind is thy breath. It gives you life, it follows and aids you. The touch of the wind is the essence of your life itself. Its breeze is your breath in your body, it will sustain you. And only through this wind of the life can you be whole once more, can you live once more. Be thankful, be accepting and let the life be in you.” Hesitant, Wind dropped to his knees beside the still, if not warm and faintly glowing, body. Breath of life was the only part that had to make a direct connection and it was only fitting that it would be some one like him to be the form of Wind. His fingers trembled slightly; Wind was always so unsure of himself. Finally, he put a hand on either side of the still body’s face and bent down over it. The breath that came from Wind’s mouth was slow and soft, drawn out far longer than any breath of a mortal. It passed through the paled lips of the form. The body lurched, gagged and coughed before taking its first true, life giving breath. Wind staggered to his knees and back; Earth’s hands steadied him. Nature took another moment to admire their work. Though they were all a bit tired, Wind more than the others, it was a spectacular creation. Perfect, as it had been perfect before. Only one last thing to do …Time is not on our side.

“Return to the world, meet them in the barren land of Kainaldia. Be with them as you have longed to be. Now go.”

*--------*--------*


Kai-stern coughed violently. His body convulsed at the feeling of air in his lungs. Everything felt dizzy and heavy. His lungs were on fire, his eyes ached painfully. What was going on? What was happening to him? What’s going on!?!?!

He realized it then, that the world was blurry and slightly distorted. Groping for his pocket, he found his glasses and put them on his face. The breath that came from his lungs was still harsh but it came out easier now, and he could get a better view of his surroundings. An eerie purple sky loomed over head, the clouds a pale gray off of them. He recognized the stony earth under his back and the gnarled trees that were around him. Kainaldia.

“…How did I get here?” Kai-stern asked softly. His voice sounded strangely hoarse. It took some effort but he managed to sit up and look around himself. “Why…am I in Kainaldia?”

As though someone was listening to him, something powerful hit him, sent him sprawling. Strange things flew past his eyes. They were memories, Kai-stern could recognize them. It only took him a few moments to realize exactly what had happened. He had died giving Rath his body back. And now he was back, with some new memories as to what exactly had happened since he had been dead.

“Alfeegi’s dead too?…God poor Ruwalk.” Kai-stern said quietly. Standing, he straightened his new clothes and looked about. “But that’s not important right now…well not the most important. I have to find Pegasus, and Rath. They’re here somewhere. God…Pegasus…Rath…Hang on you two.”

He started to run.

TBC

So there is chapter six; actually I've had this chapter for a while, Vanna beta'ed it for me months ago and then my laptop decided to lose it on me and then go into cardiac arrest. It's alive now, after much CPR and computer meds and Vanna, out of the kindness of her heart, beta'ed it again for me^^

unfortunately, I have no idea when my next post will be...the writing on the next two chapters, in my opinion, is absolutely horrendous and I don't want to let this story go down the drain in such a horrid fashion. So I'm hoping to consult a couple people and get some ideas from them as to what I should do next. I know how I want this to end, just not how to get there.

So I might be scraping the next two chapters which have been a massive **curses in japanese** to write. I'll keep a copy of them handy but I do believe that I will scrape them and try to write them over. I apologize but everyone's been so nice and I hate to end stories in a badly written fashion.

Damn writer's block...

But take heart, readers! I hate sad endings! Pegasus is going to have a nice happy ending^^

...for now anyway **evil laugh**