For the Love of You

Ace's eyes blinked open. A small candle burned brightly before him. He blinked haplessly taking in the sudden light. His eyes began to adjust and panning up slowly, he saw a table full of food laid out in front of him. He attempted to move but his arms were bound to the chair.

"Good morning..or should I say night?" Silthus whispered.

Ace's hairs stood on end. His eyes turned rapidly to his side where Silthus was standing over him.

"Where are we?" Ace questioned uneasily.

"Far, far away...someplace no one will find us," Silthus replied ominously.

"What now? You kill me?" Ace exhaled with difficulty.

"No, no no!" Silthus exclaimed, "how many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to kill you. I just want you by my side,"

"Why?" Ace shook his head with agitation, "Why are you doing this to me?!"

"Because I love you," Silthus smiled darkly.

"You...you're insane," Ace inhaled sharply, "making me human hasn't changed anything,"

"On the contrary," Silthus placed a hand on Ace's thigh, "Now, I can break legs so you never run from me again. No demon magic to heal you,"

His hand slid up, "Or maybe your arms. I'll break every little bone if it keeps you here,"

"And the scroll?" Ace questioned stiffly.

Silthus let out a sigh, "Is that all you're interested in? Even as a human, how disappointing... What kind of life did you lead to make you so...cold?"

"Do you have it or not?" Ace glared.

"It's here," Silthus gestured to the table. The scroll was laid out on a golden plate, tied with a silk ribbon, "Let us hope Cora brings the stone. Though wouldn't it be more amusing if Michael came instead? I wonder who will win?"

Ace stared down with a grave expression, "Did Michael really agree to help you for our sake?"

"That's right. Doesn't your betrayal seem much more poignant now?" Silthus chuckled, "I tortured him. I threatened to kill him. He wouldn't budge an inch. Then I simply said, I would kill those children and lock you up. How quickly he changed his mind,"

"If Michael comes here, will you kill him?" Ace glanced up hesitantly.

"Hmm, I haven't decided yet," Silthus smirked, "When I open the scroll, I'll have the power of the gods. Everyone will kneel before me. It seems pointless to kill him given my inevitable victory, but he did try to steal you from me. Some punishment is in order. Perhaps, I'll kill that girl. I think Michael can do better anyway,"

"Why wouldn't you kill him?" Ace interrogated.

"I've taken a liking to him," Silthus chuckled, " his duplicity amuses me. He is blunt and unsociable, maybe I'll force him to be my servant. I think he would hate that,"

Ace shook his head with a scoff, "Until he finds a way to kill you,"

"Such confidence you have in his severity. Yet, I wonder if you had such belief in his loyalty whether you would have decided to betray him," Silthus mused.

"He betrayed me first," Ace stated flatly.

"Ah, true to form!" Silthus laughed loudly, "You are relentlessly stubborn to the end. Why is that? There is much written about Michael, the Sword saint and the Empire, but not about you. You were there, but it's like you were invisible. Who were you? How did you become a demon?"

Ace remained silent.

"Now, your demon magic is gone, I can go rooting around in your mind for the answers," Silthus took a seat beside Ace, "unless you tell me of your own volition,"

"I don't have a story to tell," Ace rejoined unequivocally.

"Everyone has a story," Silthus chuckled, "Tell me yours,"

"So you can find new ways to manipulate me?" Ace scoffed.

"So I can understand you," Silthus replied softly, "And because if you don't, I'll make your life a living hell,"

"If there is a hell, I've already been there," Ace answered apathetically, "the demon world is hell. No, it's worse than hell,"

"The demon world? How did you come to be there?" Silthus questioned.

"I was stolen from my village as a child," Ace replied in a low voice, "it was common back then for demons to come to the human world and wreak havoc. I was taken along with other children. I was the only one that survived. Clover saved me and brought me to the human world,"

"Clover," Silthus repeated with a frown, "Is that why you feel such loyalty to them?"

"It is part of the reason," Ace's black eyes fluttered cautiously under Silthus' glare, "but Clover had no intention of babysitting me. They gave me to the care of Michael and the Sword saint,"

"And Michael, what was he like as a teacher?" Silthus smiled.

"He was cold, impatient and indifferent. But...he also taught me to rely on myself. He told me the world wouldn't wait, that I had to pursue what I wanted without hesitation. He told me that I should be free," Ace said quietly.

"Seems you didn't listen," Silthus laughed cruelly.

"No, I didn't," Ace said slowly, "I didn't listen...he told me not to go after you directly. He told me not to come to your castle. He told me to wait and he would save me. I didn't listen before, but maybe this time I will,"

"You think he will save you after what you've done?" Silthus sneered, "there's nothing Michael loves more than revenge. Perhaps, this time you'll be on the receiving end of it,"

"If I am, then the revenge he has in store for you must be even worse," Ace retorted.

"We'll see," Silthus smiled taking a sip of wine.

Ace stared at him coldly, "I have no magic. Why am I tied down? Are you planning on starving me to death?"

"Depends on if you behave," Silthus mused.

"You have the scroll," Ace's jaw clenched, "I'm not going anywhere,"

"That's the problem," Silthus smirked, "I can see your target and I know you'll do anything to get it,"

"But what can I do?" Ace smiled, "you have all the power. And you certainly won't win my heart, by keeping me in chains,"

"Very well," Silthus snapped his fingers.

Silthus' servants appeared from the shadows to undo the bindings. Once free, Ace rubbed his wrists with a sigh. He took a sip of wine, then set the glass down. A table full of silverware and finery lay before him. He immediately snatched a knife from the table and drove it into Silthus' hand. Silthus gave a roar of pain. He caught Ace by the throat.

"Oh dear," Ace smiled satisfied, "looks like since I'm human your magic has no effect on me,"

He briskly shoved Silthus aside and started to the door. The cloak figures at once appeared, blocking his way. He flew towards the first ripping a dagger from their hand. One by one, he tore through the rest, slitting their throats before exiting out the door.

Ace ran down the length of the dark hallway. There was no indication of which castle he was in. It was far too dark to see anything. Nevertheless, he Continued running as fast as he could. A faint light appeared just beyond. He skidded rapidly out into a courtyard filled with snow covered trees. He charged making his way into the icy thicket. He saw the light dip through the trees. An armored soldier was patrolling the gates. Ace launched himself at the man, swiping his sword. He drove it into the soldier and made a break for the gates.

He just reached the threshold when he rebounded back against a magic wall.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Silthus' cold voice came from behind.

Ace turned back gravely. Silthus held up a bloody hand holding the scroll.

"I thought you said you wouldn't leave without it?" he glared icily.

"So I did," Ace smiled with equal coldness, "thanks for bringing it,"

He pointed the bloody sword at Silthus.

"You're going to fight me without magic?" Silthus smirked.

"Another one of Michael's lessons," Ace smiled, "always be prepared to fight without magic,"

Ace flung the blade down with great dexterity and speed. Silthus countered with his own sword. Sparks collided as they exchanged savage blows.

"That's a good lesson!" Silthus Smiled viciously, " luckily, that's a philosophy we share!"

Ace hammered at Silthus relentlessly, leaving no opening. Silthus was driven back. However, with a heavy return, he managed to push Ace back. A wild smile lit up his dark features with enthusiasm.

"This must be the great power of the red general! The skills you've been so careful to hide from me," Silthus laughed raucously, "You truly are astounding!"

Ace flew at Silthus with his sword raised. The blade crashed heavily against Silthus' sword. Their blades met in a struggle for dominance. Ace kicked Straight forward. Silthus took the blow, but stumbled back. Ace immediately went to slice Silthus neck. Silthus grabbed the sword with his bare hand. Blood trickled to the ground.

"If you have magic, I might have been in danger just now," Silthus smirked.

He wrenched the blade from Ace's hand and hit with the back of hilt of his sword. Ace fell back, blood pooling from his nose. Silthus approached and without hesitation stabbed the sword downwards. Ace avoided just barely. He barrelled over towards his sword. At that minute, he heard chanting. He glanced up to find Silthus' wizards encroaching him. His head began to feel heavy. His ears rang incessantly and his consciousness started to fade. He fell straight forward into the snow.