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Fallen Embers	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 1799 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
***Warning: Langauge, violence, minor gore

***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter 9

Alfred looked down at the man groveling before him and begging for forgiveness. Ivan was a strong and powerful individual who could kill, destroy, and fight with immense cruelty. Yet here he was, groveling on his belly willing to do anything and everything. Alfred remembered what his dad had said one time when he was little about bullies. Arthur told Alfred to put himself in their shoes and try to understand how and why they are cruel. While Ivan was not intentionally cruel, Alfred took those words to try and understand Ivan's reasons for what he did. Ivan was a man deeply devoted to his 'angel', loving and treasuring the relationship they had together. The man had been turned to stone and fell into a deep, ageless sleep with feelings still fresh of their love. The angel he speaks of was born in a different world; in a different time and era. Ivan himself was from the same time. So, Alfred came to the conclusion that he would forgive Ivan for his reckless stunt.

"I forgive you, Ivan."

"Thank you, Alfred. The last thing I would want is for you to hate me." Ivan's eyes were moist with bloody tears. "I only ask for your love." He stood up to face Alfred. "That is all I really need."

Alfred searched those purple eyes tinted with blood for a hint of a lie, yet found only truth. He smiled. "I believe you. I want you to understand something, Ivan. I am not the 'angel' you knew all those eons ago and I never will be. I am a product of this world and this life without your ancient values and customs. I'm not even sure if I would rather be with a guy or a girl. I just don't know. Sometimes I think I know…but I do have my inner doubts. But I don't want you to pressure or force me to do something I'm not comfortable with yet. You're just going to have to wait for me to say 'yes'."

Ivan nodded. "I understand, Alfred. But…may I ask one thing? Do you not feel…ANY desire for me? No stirring in your loins? Or any feelings of lust at all?"

Alfred blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck. "Um…well, honestly, I don't think I do. I mean, I'm more embarrassed about it really. It's weird and strange." Blue eyes looked into violet. "But I don't think I feel desire for you yet, Ivan. I really just don't know. I hope you understand?"

The large man's brows furrowed and bowed his head to look at the shackles upon his wrists. He then lifted both his eyes and wrists, forcing Alfred to look at the shackles. "Perhaps I do not understand this world or what makes for a good mate and provider, but these chains I don't like. I wear these chains for YOU. I endure pain, suffering, imprisonment, and darkness to keep you happy and safe!" He let the bloody tears fall. "Yet you speak such cold words to me when I have waited numerous eons to see and love you once again. I offer my life, love, strength, and loyalty to YOU. My body and mind are yours, Alfred Jones. So why do you keep pushing me away? Why do you feel embarrassed around me? What doubts could you possibly have about my love for you?"

Alfred didn't know what else he could say. Ivan's love has always been obvious, but Alfred was still unsure of his own feelings. If he had more answers to the numerous questions he had about this past life, then maybe his decision would be easier. Alfred was fairly certain he was gay due to that dream he had of Ivan's statue fucking him. His brows went up in despair as he wondered if he was more in love with the mystery and silence of Ivan's statue rather than Ivan himself. With the statue he was able to wonder and make it up in his own mind, but everything had turned out much differently than he expected. It still felt as if he were living in a movie plot.

"Ivan," he took a deep breath, "just give me time. I still don't understand much about you or myself and what happened in the past. Sometimes I can't even believe all this is real! But…I just…" he sighed "I just have so much on my mind and have been though a lot that I just get confused and- ugh! I'm babbling!" He slapped a hand to his forehead. "I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. I'm probably not even making sense." He saw the noticeable look of depression on Ivan's face. "But…I think I remember you saying that you would just have to make me fall in love with you again, and then maybe I would remember. I also promised that I would save you from your prison, and that is still what I intend to do."

"You are my love and I can never deny you anything. There is much I don't know about myself other than my relationship with you. But I did make that promise to you and I intend to keep it. I'm sorry I tried to force you." He gave a sheepish smile. "You're just so beautiful, Alfred. I miss the days when we would make love and then lay together on a bed of flowers or furs. Sometimes you would fall asleep on my arm, and I would just stare at your sleeping face. I never grew tired of it. I want you to remember those wonderful feelings we've shared. I want to share them with you, not just tell you about them. You need to experience them all again."

"And I will, but when I am ready." Alfred gave Ivan's shoulder a heavy pat. "I'm not a coy little angel anymore, Ivan. I'm a man; a soldier. I fight the bad guys and protect the innocent."

Ivan gave a serious look. "You are my innocence to protect." Alfred blushed, and then the echoing sound of a knock filled their dream state world. "We must wake up now."

"Right!" Alfred brought his arm up to his mouth and bit down, jerking his dream form out of sleep. It took a moment for his mind to register what was happening, then spoke "Who is it?"

"Jones! Got a message for ya. Sergeant Derrick wants you down in the shooting hall."

"What the hell for?" Alfred asked the messenger.

"Don't know, dude. All he said was for me to come and tell you. Oh, and he wants you there A.S.A.P."

Ivan looked at Alfred with concern. 'Am I allowed to accompany you?'

"Yes." Alfred's reply was quick as he threw the covers off and dressed in his uniform. "Something is fishy about this 'meeting' of us in the shooting range. It should be closed at this time."

'And if you decline the offer?'

Alfred quickly combed his hair. "He'll only come looking for me, so I might as well get it over with now. And I'm freakin' hungry too!" He whined. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Ivan accompanied Alfred to the shooting range, which was completely empty. Only a few lights were on, and the room was dead silent. Ivan felt something strange about the room, like a dark aura or power. Alfred had called out to his sergeant, who only answered with a whistle. The second Ivan laid eyes on the man he knew that the human was possessed. No human had yellow eyes like that; only the Sun Angels could bear such color. Unlike Alfred, Ivan could see the tattered and torn black wings sprouting from the Shadow Angel's back. The Sun Angel must have taken a bit of the human's life force in order to obtain the color of the eyes. Ivan growled deeply.

'Alfred, he is not human right now. Trust nothing he says.'

"Huh? Not human? What do you mean? He looks human to me." Alfred did take notice of how strangely the man was looking at him, and rarely did the sergeant wear such a smirk. "You sent for me, sir?" He gave a quick salute.

"I did. So nice of you to join me. But I'm sure I mentioned for you to come alone."

Alfred blinked. "Um, I am alone." 'Does he see Ivan?'

"Are you?" Derrick smirked. "Then who is that man standing beside you in chains?"

'He knows us, Alfred!' Ivan growled out and removed his axe from his belt. 'He is one of the Shadow Angels!' Alfred gasped. 'He has possessed the body of your human sergeant!'

"Bravo, little pest," said the angel. "My, my, dear little brother, how much you have changed since I last saw you."

"Little brother?" Alfred repeated. "I'm not your little brother! Who the hell do you think you are?"

'Yes, tell him,' Ivan hissed out. 'Tell him about how you ripped his wings and stood by while he was killed.'

The angel began to casually walk around the range. "I only did what Father bid of us. My foolish little brother chose the love of a mortal over that of his family and race. Light, you betrayed us. You ignored our love for you to be with a HUMAN." He spit in Ivan's direction. "And a disgusting one at that."

"Hey, hold up!" Alfred stopped him. "Look, I don't remember anything that has happened, but I want you out of Sergeant Derrick's body right now!"

'Stay away from him, Alfred!' Ivan warned. 'He wants your life force!'

The angel licked his human lips. "Yes, that is what I want." Yellow eyes stared intently at Alfred. "I can see the heavy aura of your life force all around you, little brother."

'GET AWAY FROM HIM!' Ivan roared as he tried to attack the angel, but only managed to leap through him. Ivan realized the angel's plan, and cursed under his breath.

"Oh, I've forgotten how STUPID humans can be! You forget that you are simply a ghost. A disgusting rodent unfit for life." The angel smirked. "Did you forget that you cannot touch a human?"

"HEY!" Alfred hollered. "Stop picking on him! Get out of Derrick's body right now!"

'ALFRED! GET AWAY FROM HIM! HURRY!' Ivan was powerless to do anything himself. It was up to Alfred.

"Do you still defend this creature?" The angel suddenly gripped Alfred's face with brute strength, making it impossible for Alfred to break free. "Do you still wish to love him?"

"LET ME GO! YOU MONSTER!" Alfred struggled in the hold, doing everything from punches to kicks but the man was unaffected.

"FEED ME!" The angel's voice said in a roar as it began to suck in the golden aura of life force around Alfred's body. Some of the life force even went up his arms to his neck and shoulders; soon surrounding his whole head.

Alfred cried out for him to stop, yet his body was growing weaker and weaker. When the angel dropped him to the floor, he discovered how exhausted he was. It felt like he had just run a marathon in a wind storm. Then came the intense pain in his body, or rather, it felt as if it were in his veins. Alfred rolled over onto his stomach as he tried to get some relief from the pain, but his eyes were focused on another issue before him. From Derrick's body quickly sprouted a bright figure with their arms stretched high above their heads and golden wings spread wide. Alfred had to turn his face away for a moment, then slowly bring it back and squint at the bright light. Derrick's body lay on the floor while the Sun Angel stood above him in a ray of constant light. Was this being before him REALLY what the Shadow Angels looked like?

'Ah, to be beautiful and powerful once again!' said the Sun Angel. 'It IS true! Our little brother does hold the power to bring us back to the world!'

'But you forget one thing!' Ivan smirked. 'Now that you are an angel once again, I have the power to kill you!'

The angel spun around and spread its wings around himself. 'Go ahead and try, mongrel!'

Ivan let out a warlike cry as he charged at the angel. He swung his axe at the golden being, but the shackles were slowing him down. The angel danced and leapt out of his way, all the while mocking him. Alfred watched the battle unfold before him, trying to think of a way he could help Ivan. He noticed that the angel's body was solid unlike Ivan's. Alfred forced himself to his feet and very quietly, made his way over to the gun wall. Ivan was still slashing and striking at the golden form but was having no luck. When the angel chose to attack it used its wings to slice at Ivan. However, all three noticed how the angel's wings passed right through Ivan's body without a scratch. Apparently he was unable to touch Ivan, but Ivan could touch him in the angel form.

Alfred took this chance as his moment to attack. While the angel was snarling at Ivan, Alfred aimed the large gun and focused it on the left wing. Pulling the trigger, Alfred's clean shot tore through the golden feathers, splattering blood everywhere. The angel let out a screech of agony, and continued to do so as Alfred let his perfect shot and rain of bullets cut through the feathers. Alfred had even blown one halfway off, leaving it to dangle uselessly at the angel's side. Now it was Ivan's turn, and the man stood behind the fallen body of the angel, who struggled to stay alive. Alfred slowly lowered his gun as Ivan raised his axe. In a short second, Ivan's axe blade cut clean through the angel's neck, decapitating it. It was a gruesome sight when Ivan held up the angel's head for him to see. The bloody veins and muscles dangled from the open neck and onto the floor. Ivan gave him a triumphant grin.

'We make a great killing team, Alfred! I'll be back shortly.'

Alfred watched as the floor opened up into a black abyss, taking both Ivan and the angel corpse with it. When the black vortex disappeared, Alfred carefully laid the gun on the floor and walked to the spot. Looking at the floor, he could see no traces of the black hole. However, there was still half of the bloody wing on the shooting floor, along with various specks of blood. How does one dispose of an angel wing? The clearing of a throat behind him startled Alfred. Looking behind, Alfred saw three fellow soldiers staring at him with curious confusion and amusement. Then, all three of them glanced at the angel wing, and then looked back at Alfred, silently asking for an explanation. And so, Alfred blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"It was an owl." He gulped, still shaken up by the events that just unfolded but kept his composure.

"An owl?" repeated one. "In here? How the hell did it get in?"

"I don't know." Alfred responded. "But I do know that it scared Sergeant Derrick so much that he fainted! See!" Alfred pointed to the man's fallen body.

"So…if you shot at the owl, then were is the rest of it?"

"I guess it flew out down the hall, over that way." Alfred was lucky that one of the doors was left open.

One of the soldiers looked down at the wing. "Russia has owls this big? Are you SURE it was an owl?"

"Yeah, this all seems really weird! And there's fucking blood EVERYWHERE dude!"

"Hey, I just did what I had to, okay? And who the hell knows what kind of bird it was! There's a lot of weird things in Russia and all over the world that people haven't discovered yet! Maybe they don't know some owls can get this big! I don't know! But it looked like an owl. Just take him to the nurses' ward." Alfred told them, trying his best not to show how much he just wanted to run to his room and hide under the covers. The realization of what exactly happened had not sunk in yet but if these men stayed any longer, he might just break. And where was Ivan? 'Ivan...please, don't stay away long.' He wasn't sure how believable his story actually was.

/

'You have done well, slave,' said the God of Winter when the angel's body was brought before him. 'What happened?'

Ivan lowered himself to his knees and looked up at the god. 'The angel sucked Alfred's life force so they can regain their celestial bodies. Alfred was weak for a short time, but as I was fighting the angel, Alfred was able to shoot off its wings.' Ivan held out his chained wrists. 'I was slow due to these.'

'They will become manageable over time. You still belong to me.' The God of Winter's eyes flashed for a second and new chains connected to the broken ones. 'I will let you return to the world above once you complete your task.'

'Which task?'

'Start making me the throne of bones. You have your axe, your hands, and the angel's body before you. Leave no bone unused, and try not to damage the skin when flaying.' The god made a pile of leather rope appear beside Ivan to use in tying the bones together.

Ivan bowed his head when the god strolled by him, disappearing into the dark. He wanted to get back to Alfred right away, so he set to work on the angel. Taking a dagger from his boot he carefully removed the skin in the same manner he would an animal. This would be his first time skinning a man-like creature, but he was finished in no time at all. He used the axe to chop the limbs off separately by the joints, and then cut away the muscle to reveal the bones. It was no different from a hunting kill, something Ivan was skilled at. Once all the bones had been removed Ivan set to forming the base of the throne.

As he worked, Ivan wondered what Alfred would say if he saw this. Ivan had no remorse for what he was doing to the angel's body, but Alfred would be disgusted and frightened. He may even call Ivan a monster and shun him for the dark act. But Alfred would never find his way here, for it was not a place for the kind hearted or the living. This Alfred was so much different and stronger than Light was. Alfred's words, though they made sense, still stung and burned within his chest. Ivan had no issue with making Alfred love him all over again, but there was on thing he feared having no control over; and that was his burning lust for Alfred's body. It was an uncontrollable desire once they were together in Alfred's dreams, where he could freely touch the other. It was at those times when his lust spiraled into an aching urge to possess the man's body. He wondered what Alfred would feel like when they were connected in mating. Ivan wondered if it would feel the same way as it did when he took Light.

'I can't keep thinking like that. If I do, then I may just force myself onto Alfred, and then he would hate me forever. I have to learn to control myself.' He finished tying the last bones together. 'He needs to come to me first. Alfred's love is more important.'

/

Alfred loudly slurped up the spaghetti given for dinner in the cafeteria with a few other soldiers. Sergeant Derrick had woken up in the shooting arena when Alfred was still there, but remembered nothing. The man had mentioned something about wings and flying, so Alfred played on that it was the large 'owl' they saw. While there were no more traces of the owl 'found', the soldiers seemed to just ignore it. Along with the soldiers, Alfred signed a report about the incident to be given to the superiors. It would only be a matter of time before he was questioned. Once he was away from the arena Alfred had calmed down, going to join with some of the other soldiers in the game room. Alfred was thrilled to be called in with the others for some drilling, which helped to keep his mind off of the angel stealing his 'life force'. Even while eating, Alfred thought intensely about the angel and himself. Could he really be someone special with power like Ivan said? All of it just seemed too good to be real. But if he ever did change into an old angel, then his first order of business would be to attack the base and all the men making fun of him. Which was just about to start.

"So Jones, what happened with that big guy the other day?" asked one of the soldiers.

"It was a simple accident. He was making some rude gay gesture like I always get and he slipped, hurting himself. He's also just not my type." Alfred said with a laugh. "I only top. I never bottom." One of the soldiers, shocked by the confession, spit out his drink.

"Shit, are you serious?" said another, looking at Alfred in shock. "I thought you 'weren't gay'. All of a sudden you are?"

Alfred sat up straight with a smug smile. "Well, I'm on a road of self-discovery right now. I'm not sure if I'm gay or straight, or both."

"Hey, there's no such thing as 'bi'." replied another soldier. "I had this gay guy in high school, and he told us that 'bi' was just another word for horny, and that's all."

Alfred shrugged his shoulders. "Dude, I can't answer that for I don't even know. I've never been with a guy, but if I did, I would be on top." He boasted proudly.

"Ha!" laughed the first soldier. "If you were with me, you would so be the bitch!"

"Well, I guess we'll never know because it will never happen. I think I like the idea of being a man-virgin." Alfred had noticed the soldiers giving one another a strange look, probably surprised by his sudden outburst. Alfred grinned, wondering why he never thought about this before. They all seemed to believe in the notion that he was bi-curious. Whether or not this would make the jokes stop Alfred didn't know, but it could help to lessen the amount of abuse. Plus it was keeping his mind off of angels and shadows, which was best for him right now. There was nothing he could do without Ivan.

"So...what kind of guy would you be looking for?" asked another soldier.

Alfred chuckled. "Why? You interested?"

"Oh god! Oh hell no! Ugh! Yuck!" The man over dramatized his reaction. "Give me a pair of bouncing boobs any day!"

"I would like that too." Alfred replied. "But I don't know what type of guy I would like. I don't even think I have a perfect girl idea either." He tapped his lip in thought. "I never gave it any real thought."

One soldier laughed. "So you're saying you're a virgin? HA! A virgin both ways!"

"I am not a virgin! I've been with a woman!" Alfred couldn't keep himself from blushing, which only made him slump in his chair as the other guys gave loud shouts of 'ooh' and obnoxious laughter. He had fooled around with a girl or two, but never went any further than that. He never wanted to. But a man... 'Oh god...I might as well just blurt it out now to Ivan that I am gay for him but don't want the sex yet'.

"New Year's resolution, Jones! We've got to get you laid!" laughed the first soldier. "This is a crazy fucking country, I'm sure they'll have guys and girls lined up for our American dollars! You can have both!"

"Maybe some other time," said Alfred. "I'll let you know, though." He was still blushing. "So I guess I gave you all a bunch of new material to use to make fun of me now, right? And I guess you're going to spread the word too?"

"Ah, we're only razzin' on ya, bro," said the second soldier, "It passes the time."

"Gee, thanks." Alfred rolled his eyes. "But I doubt EVERYONE here is doing it just for fun."

The third soldier swallowed his food before speaking. "I really don't think anyone cares, Jones."

"Don't be too sure about that." Alfred looked down at his nearly empty plate of spaghetti.

/

Once another day was done, Alfred went back to his room to wait for Ivan to return. He locked the door knowing it wouldn't do any real good should a Shadow Angel come. That one angel sucked the life from him, and Alfred felt weak and drained. The pain had been horrible to experience, but it only lasted a few seconds, and then he was fine. He closed his eyes, picturing the golden wings exploding in a sea of blood and feathers as his bullets ate through them. The angel was screaming in agony before Ivan took over, landing the final blow to end its life. But Alfred had to wonder if that was what he looked like as an angel. He was told he had golden wings and glowed brightly, so that angel couldn't have been much different from him. While the angel was trying to kill him, Alfred couldn't help but silently comment how beautiful the creature was. Its glow, warmth, and shine nearly took his breath away. These evil beings were beautiful to look at, but really evil deep down. Ivan had said that as an angel, Alfred was kind and good, spreading laughter wherever he went. That had been true from him in middle school, but Alfred knew that was not the case anymore.

Lying back on the bed, his thoughts returned to the logical view of things, and if this could really be true. Could he just be in one of his dreams that were lasting for a long while? Maybe he was in a coma and this life was being made up in his mind. He had seen that on a television show once. Everything about this situation had fantasy and movie written all over it. As much as he tried to think about the logics they just weren't making sense. There was no way to tell if this world was real or false. However, Alfred was 98% sure that this was real. He just did not want to have sex with Ivan. 'I'm a prude like dad,' Alfred said to himself. 'Even though he first says 'no' to papa, in the end he always says 'yes'. Will that be me, too?'

Alfred sat up quickly and grabbed his laptop. He sat the electronic on his lap, opened the top, and searched for something in Google that he had never done before: 'gay sex for download'. His computer would end up being full of viruses and other nasty worms, but it was worth the change. Alfred was surprised how little he knew about gay sex, knowing only the basic part of penetration. He didn't think a man's…backside…would be any different from that of a woman's. Alfred had been with a few of his friends during a party where they watched porn involving anal. How different could it be?

So for the next hour or so, Alfred was traumatized by the things he had witnessed with the downloads. Slowly, he closed the computer screen and stared at the wall. In some way, Alfred was hoping to get some sort of erotic novel to read online for free or some sleazy fanfiction. People write all sorts of crazy things on the Internet, and for a second Alfred imagined a story being written about his fathers. Who would want to write about that? He immediately slapped his face to punish himself from even thinking about it.

'I didn't know men could bend that way.' Alfred jumped at the sound of Ivan's voice.

"GAH! Ivan! Don't sneak up on me like that! And where were you?"

'I have been in my own dimension…taking care of some business.' Ivan had the dried blood on his hands but in this form it looked only like dirt. He would never tell Alfred of what he had been doing. 'So you have been…studying how men mate?'

Alfred cleared his throat. "Do you have to say 'mate'? For god's sake we're not animals, Ivan! I rather you say 'sex' or 'make love'. Only those two words."

Ivan grinned. 'Not 'fuck me'?' Alfred turned beet red. 'That's what the man on the bottom was saying and he really seemed to like it.'

"Porn stars are different from REAL people, Ivan. Best learn that now! And how long were you watching?"

'Oh, for awhile.' Ivan smiled sheepishly and batted his lashes. 'I especially liked watching the smaller man twist sideways like that. That kind of position would make my work much easier.'

"Yeah, well, maybe some day!" Alfred crossed his arms and pouted. "This sucks." There was a knock on his door. "For the love of- ! Who is it?"

"Mr. Jones, it's me nurse Nadine. I've come to give you a follow up examination."

"Coming!" Alfred thought her voice sounded a bit funny, but then again nurse Nadine had some sort of coughing ailment brought on by smoking so he thought nothing of it. When he opened the door, the first thing he received was pain. He had been punched, and Alfred realized that when he tasted blood in his mouth.

'ALFRED!' Ivan called to him. 'YOU!' Ivan saw that the person invading the room was the large soldier from before in the showers. He saw the man close the door and lock it behind him.

"How does it feel to get struck to the floor with blood, punk!" hissed the man. "You think you're more superior than me?"

Alfred wiped the blood from his mouth with a glare to the larger man. "Fuck you, pal. I never said anything like that! Get the hell out of my room before I- " The man gave him a hard kick in the thigh, but Alfred quickly countered by using his other leg to kick the man's feet out from under him. He tried to get up to go to the door, but the large man grabbed his ankle and stopped him.

'Alfred!' Ivan cried. 'Fight him! Fight him with all your might! I can't protect you in this form!'

The man pulled Alfred to the floor, knocking over the desk lap and some books. Alfred tried to give him a kick to the face but had missed. The larger man was stronger than him and proved it when he forcefully picked Alfred up by the hair. Alfred used his defense stance to try and break free, but the man was aware of that move as well; and blocked it. Alfred was forced onto the bed and on his belly. However, he did manage to knee the man in the gut, forcing the brute to double over. Alfred's glasses had been knocked away in the fall, so his aim was off and his elbow missed the man's face. This left an opening for the man to attack, which he did. A knee pressed hard into his groin, but Alfred's scream was muffled by the man squeezing his cheeks painfully. The intense, paralyzing pain from his groin rendered him motionless but the man did not stop there. Alfred tried to bite at the fingers but was met with his forehead slammed against the other's. The pain blurred his vision and dulled his senses. "I-Ivan…" He whispered out.

"Ivan? Who is that? Your lover? Or maybe the man you want?" The large man chuckled and gave Alfred's cheek a wet, sloppy lick. Alfred choked in disgust. "This won't be too bad, for either of us! All I have to do is shove your head under the sheets and pretend you're a woman from the back."

Alfred suddenly lay very still beneath the man, waiting for his vision to return. He remembered a defense technique taught to him during self defense gym class in high school. Alfred hoped it would work.

"Oh, so you just can't wait to have me, huh? I think I like you like this, Jones."

'I dare you to come closer.' Alfred said to himself. His heart was pounding in his chest as the man's face came closer to his as if to kiss him. Then, he struck. Alfred sank his teeth into the man's cheek and held fast, making sure to now swallow any blood. The man roared and reared back, holding his torn cheek. Alfred lifted his leg and shoved the man in the chest with his foot, knocking him from the bed and onto the floor. Ivan rushed over to him, but Alfred ignored the ghost by his side and focused on the man. Gripping the front of the white t-shirt, Alfred knelt over the man and started to land punches across the stubbly face. He had to stop and catch his breath, looking down in anger at the man twitching on the floor; his face now a bloody mess. Alfred jerked his head to the door when he heard voices coming down the hall. Thinking on his feet, he stood up and tore his shirt by the shoulder. Next, he undid his belt and unbuttoned the pants to hang loose around his waist. He bit down on his lip harder to draw more blood. If soldiers came in and saw only the man hurt and not him, there would be trouble.

'Alfred, you did well.' Ivan said softly. 'You defended yourself. You did nothing wrong.'

"It's not over yet. Just stay with me." Alfred stepped over the man and went to the door, opening it. "Help! Someone help!" There were already three soldiers coming near him.

"Jones, what the hell is going on? We heard a lot of noise!" Said one soldier.

Alfred took a deep breath. "Y-Yes…there was a problem."

The second soldier noticed his torn attire. "What happened?"

"This bastard just…just tried to RAPE me." Two of the soldiers ran in to see to the man while the first remained with Alfred.

"Holy fuck man, you…okay?"

Alfred folded his arms. "Yeah…I guess so. I kicked the shit out of him, though. He didn't get very far."

"Let these two handle him. I'll walk you to the hospital ward."

"Thanks bro." Alfred looked behind him to see a worried Ivan following him. He gave the ghost a smile, assuring him that everything was fine. Today had just been one thing after another, it would seem. His life was, indeed, changing day by day. The soldier brought him to the hospital ward and remained while the nurse examined him. Alfred knew he was fine save for the bump on his head and the bruise on his lip. Ivan sat beside him the entire time.

'I know you can't speak to me right now, Alfred. But I am sorry that I could not protect you. This form is a curse.'

Alfred just nodded to him.

"Well, Mr. Jones, everything appears to be well," said Nurse Nadine. "Is there anything else I can do for you? The generals have already been notified of this and are on their way."

Alfred gulped. "T-The generals?" This wasn't good.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, Mr. Jones. There's nothing to worry about. You were in the right."

Alfred wished Ivan could hold his hand right now because he could use the strength. They remained in the ward in silence until two generals entered the hall. The soldier and Alfred saluted properly. Alfred's heart was in his throat and butterflies had replaced the contents of his belly. The two generals appeared to have smiles on their faces, but Alfred knew those smiles were phony.

"Mr. Jones, let's talk about this so-called 'almost' rape," stated the first general.

Alfred gulped. This would not end well.

End Chapter 9 TBC
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Fallen Embers