Darius

"You're back," Silthus grinned.

Michael strode down the hall followed by Tomas and Estelle. With a thrust, a severed head rolled to the foot of Silthus' throne. Silthus stared down gravely.

" I see you found Bora," he remarked with a solemn expression.

" You sound disappointed, "Michael smirked.

"And where is Darius?" Silthus' eyes rose slowly.

"I found him locked in a dungeon below the temple of Lucia,"Michael gestured behind.

A young man was dragged to the throne and thrown to the floor. His light brown head shook terribly and he brought his head to the floor with great strain.

" Silthus please..." he began, his voice cracking as he spoke.

"Darius, " Silthus interrupted sharply, " you failed me, "

"I was ambushed! " Darius cried," and Bora...he just left me there,"

His eyes quickly went to the disfigured head and he shuddered.

"Bora's job was not to rescue you, " Silthus stated icily," it was to conquer the west, a task he failed, "

"I..." Darius began to speak again. His jaw clenched and his body seized stiffly. Finally, he lowered his gaze despondent, " I failed you,"

" Yes, and now the question of how to punish you for your failure," Silthus leant on one hand staring down coldly. His gaze turned to Michael, " What do you think? "

"I leave such decisions to your discretion, " Michael ambivalently," though I wonder is it wise to kill another one of your generals?"

Silthus smiled cruelly," What use have I for a incompetent general? "

" Give me another chance to prove myself!" Darius protested ardently.

" This was your chance, Darius, " Silthus shrugged apathetically, "you're not suited for being a general. Though Michael is right. With Ace's betrayal and Bora dead, we need someone to govern the provinces. Cora, what is your opinion? "

Cora appeared as though from nowhere. She stepped into the light with a bow. Raising her head with a smile.

" Why not divide the land between Michael and I?" She smiled widely.

" And Darius? " Silthus questioned.

"He can assist with turning over his and Bora's soldiers," Cora replied in gleeful anticipation.

"Michael? "Silthus glanced to him.

"I am not opposed to the idea,"Michael answered thoughtfully.

"Very well, " Silthus rose, " it is decided, "

He looked poised to depart, but halted. He glanced behind Michael at Estelle who was glaring at him with deadened, cold-blooded silver eyes.

"And who is this?" Silthus mused stepping down towards them.

" A warrior I picked up from the West," Michael replied indifferently.

" She has fierce eyes," Silthus chuckled, " quite intimidating,"

"Lower your gaze," Michael instructed.

Estelle's veined pulsed down her neck with agitation, but she obeyed.

"She's nothing but a foot soldier, but she displayed some tenacity. I thought I might have a use for her,"Michael went on, " if you would allow it," he added with a smirk.

Silthus gave a loud laugh, " How precariously you live, Michael. Let us pray she doesn't kill you in your sleep, "

"Heaven's forbid,"Michael derided, " without furthering your perception of my precarious nature, I would like to request another audience with that woman, "

" You've taken quite an interest in her," Silthus laid a hand on Michael's shoulder with a grin, "are you sure that's wise? I would hate to have to repeat the words you once told me,"

"What words would they be? " Michael replied stiffly.

"Something about the futility of love? " Silthus' intense dark eyes flashed a violent shade of Cerulean.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Michael returned in a low voice.

"In that case," Silthus pulled back once more," meet with her as you please. Just ensure Cora is present,"

" As you wish,"

******************

The next morning, on the mountain summit, a rolling cloud of fog was pierced by a low cry. From the opaque depths a hand glided through the surface. A body followed crashing to the stone floor.

Darius chambered to his feet. Blood poured from his nose and he rose his sword with a shaky hand.

" I don't want to fight you!"

Michael stepped through the clouds after him, " You said you would prove your worth, was that a lie?"

"It wasn't! " Darius exclaimed. His boyish eyes widening in protest, " but you saved my life. I don't wish to fight you!"

" I'm trying to decide if you have any use," Michael replied indifferently, "if you don't, I'm going to hand you over to Cora. If you have any sense, you'll avoid that at all costs,"

Darius gripped his sword. He lunged at Michael. Their swords collided sending sparks into the air. Michael pulled back his fist and sent Darius flying back. He shook his head with a sigh. Darius pulled himself up with a grunt. To his surprise, Michael threw down his sword. The instance Darius drew close, Michael swiftly dodged Darius' blade. He ducked under Darius' guard and dealt him several precise blows.

Darius doubled over with a gasp. His sword dropped from his hand and he fell to his knees. He turned back just as Michael's knee slammed into his temple. Darius was slapped to the floor spluttering back blood. His body trembled as he tried to reach for his sword. At once, Michael crunched down on Darius' hand. Darius screamed in pain.

" If you're this useless, it might be better just to kill you," Michael stared down coldly.

Darius glanced up viciously. Suddenly Michael was thrown back several feet. Taken by surprise he landed unsteadily. Michael came to his feet with a frown. He started towards Darius once more. Again, Michael was pushed back by force. There was no wind, only a painful pressure. No matter how Michael struggled, he couldn't resist it. His feet skidded back at such force, he found himself at the edge of the cliff face.

Michael stared down uneasily at the edge. The cliff was shrouded in clouds concealing an unimaginable drop. Across from him, Darius rose and lowered his hand teetering to a stand.

He released an unsteady breath, " Enough!"

"Adjuration magic?" Michael grinned, " How rare,"

Darius walked towards him unsteadily. He suddenly reached forward and caught hold of Michael's collar, dragging him closer.

"You could probably kill me with your magic at this range," Michael mused.

Darius frowned, " you're too close to the edge," he sighed and removed his hand.

He brushed the blood from under his nose and turned back. Michael dusted himself down with a smile. He caught up to Darius casting him an inspecting glance. Darius met his gaze uncomfortably.

" How did you meet Silthus? " Michael interrogated.

"He saved me from execution in the West," Darius replied quietly, " though I didn't have much choice in the matter,"

" Execution? " Michael replied, puzzled, " for what?"

" for a crime I committed, " Darius said gravely.

"Hmm, how vague," Michael smiled thoughtfully. He asked no more questions and they proceeded back to the castle.

"May I ask you something? " Darius asked as they walked down the dark halls.

"You can ask," Michael shrugged indifferently.

"Are you really the black wizard?" Darius looked at him hopefully, " Cora said you were,"

"That's what they have called me," Michael replied with irritation, " I was raised from the dead by a witch,"

"Why would someone like you serve Silthus?" Darius asked hesitantly.

" I have my reasons," Michael replied reticently.

"Are those reasons why you brought the Princess of Lucia from the West?" Darius glanced waywardly at Michael.

"You're talking about Estelle, " Michael stopped abruptly, "If you knew, why didn't you tell Silthus?"

" Why didn't you leave me in the temple dungeon? " Darius returned coolly,"You saved my life, but you had no reason to do so,"

"You weren't saved," Michael stated flatly, "I merely stumbled upon you,"

"You're trying to downplay it. Why?" Darius questioned adamantly, "Silthus said you're precarious but I don't think that's the case. I think you saved me for a reason. Otherwise, you would have told Silthus to kill me,"

"I said you could ask your questions, " Michael turned from him, " I have no obligation to answer,"

He marched on leaving Darius trailing behind. Soon they reached the doors to the dungeon. Tomas was waiting impatiently. Michael gave him a knowing smile.

"Aren't you eager?" He remarked.

" You said you would release the spell on Yona if I helped you, so release her!" Tomas snapped.

"And I will if that's you choose, "Michael replied reticently.

"What do mean if I choose? " Tomas interrogated, " Why wouldn't I wake her?"

" Ace told me you were a smart child," Michael mused," I guess that was an exaggeration, "

"Explain now!" Tomas demanded.

"Well, I assumed you would have realised what will happen if I wake her," Michael shrugged, " I mean, you know her better than I do,"

" What will happen? "Tomas frowned.

"I supposeshe will quickly surmise her beloved master is being tortured by Silthus. And being a demon, the dungeons won't contain her. We have no lease to keep her on like Ace. She will struggle but eventually find him. Of course, Silthus will be waiting...with his holy magic," Michael gestured to the door, " but as you were saying, let us make haste to her cell and wake her,"

He stepped towards the door.

"You bastard,"Tomas muttered under his breath, " you never had any intention of waking her!"

He threw a punch straight at Michael. Immediately, Darius caught his wrist.

"Please don't do that,"

"Who the hell are you?!" Tomas snarled.

" You rescued me from the West. You don't remember? " Darius said sadly.

"What?" Tomas returned coldly, " that was you? Then why are you getting in my way?"

" Violence doesn't solve anything, " Darius replied gravely.

" You must be joking?!" Tomas snatched his hand back with a scoff, " all of you generals are unbelievable, "

"Good choice of words," Michael enjoined with a laugh," I mean, if you didn't believe me, you wouldn't be so angry, but you know I'm right. However, you've misunderstood one thing, Tomas. I will wake her. If you want me to I will. In other words, the choice is yours,"

"You..." Tomas turned his face from them," leave her as she is,"

"Good choice, "Michael released the door handle and gave a sigh, " now, I have a dinner to prepare for. I'm sure you two can entertain yourselves, " he added with a condescending smirk.

With that, Michael disappeared in the opposite direction.

" Is he always like that? " Darius asked when he was gone.

"Unfortunately, "Tomas said staring down bitterly.

"But if he didn't care about your friend, he would have let you wake her," Darius commented thoughtfully.

"What is your name? " Tomas glanced up with dark eyes.

"Darius, "came the hesitant reply.

"Don't fall for it, Darius, " Tomas said sombrely, " I did and look where it got me,"

He slowly walked away without saying another word.