The Underground - Tora x Saga - 24/32
Title: The Underground
Author: silveryxdark @ arcoireis
Chapters: 24/32
Pairings: Tora x Saga [main], Shou x Hiroto, Shou x Tora, Reita x Saga, Saga x various, other various pairings
Bands: Alice Nine, the GazettE, An Cafe, vistlip, SCREW, more to come?
Genre: Romance, paranormal, angst, drama, smut
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Manxman, smut, liberal messing with traditional stories?
Disclaimer: I'll never own them :'(
Summary: In the Underground dwell demons, spirits and cambions of every kind. Ruled by Queen Aria, the most powerful succubus in a century, it is a dark, hellish court. Among them is Prince Saga - borne of Queen Aria and one of her mortal lovers. A cambion - half-incubus and half-human - he is blessed with deadly beauty, powers of seduction and immortal life, yet cursed with insatiable lust and mortal strength and agility, lesser than the other demons. Outcast his whole life for his human blood, things begin to change as he comes of age...
A/N: At the end.
Previous Chapters:
[PROLOGUE] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6A] [6B] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18A] [18B] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]
Interludes:
[Interlude 1] [Interlude 2] [Interlude 3]
Tora had never been happier in his life to see the Queen. Cold fury lined her face as she glared at the unconscious Byou and Jin, her spine rigid. Tora lifted Saga in his arms and bowed slightly, looking at her expectantly.
"Take the two of them to prison first. We will interrogate them when they are awake," she called to her guards, who hurried to handcuff the pair and bring them out.
Two regally robed young demons - mages, by the look of them - stood behind her, surveying the scene carefully. Their eyes met Tora's, and he noticed that the taller one, with dark eyes and hair, looked upset as the guards carrying Byou and Jin passed him.
Aria swept over to Tora and looked at Saga, her face softening in concern. "There has been a great curse worked upon him. I cannot tell what curse it is... but I have assigned two of my best mages to you and Saga for protection. Yuuto, Iv, you are to protect Saga at all costs," she said, gesturing to the pair behind her in turn.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they said in unison, immediately flanking Tora.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness is very much appreciated," Tora said gratefully, and looked at Shou and Hiroto. "We must leave now. Shou, Hiroto... thank you for everything."
Shou shook his head. "I should have taken better care of my own brother," he murmured.
Tora looked away, and then nodded to the mages. Iv - the shorter blond one - began to chant a portal spell, and soon another sphere of light appeared in front of them. Tora focused wholly on Saga's apartment, and stepped through it, closely followed by Iv and Yuuto.
He arrived in his bedroom, and carefully set Saga down on the bed, before tucking him in and brushing the stray hair from his face. Saga's face was peacefully blank now, looking almost dead - only the steady rise and fall of his chest gave any real indication that he was alive - though not quite well, no.
"Master Tora -"
"Just Tora, please," Tora said wearily.
The two nodded, and Iv said, "Tora, what do you wish for us to do now?"
"Ward this place against every other demon and cambion. Prince Shou, my brother Hiroto, Her Majesty Aria, the servants Nao and Kai, and the Lady Sirane may enter, however," Tora said. "Repel all others, inflict pain if necessary."
"Isn't the Lady Sirane dead?" Yuuto asked hesitantly, speaking for the first time.
Tora gave a humourless smile. "No, she faked it years ago. She wished to escape my father, who abused her severely," Tora replied quietly, feeling angry.
"Very well. Then, do you wish to ward the apartment against humans, too?" Iv asked.
"They may enter and leave freely. I trust them, or at least Saga's friends here. I know who will not harm Saga," Tora murmured, looking back at Saga's sleeping visage.
"Tora..." Yuuto began hesitantly. "May I ask that you allow me to examine Prince Saga, to see what damage has been done to him? You see... I was born into the same clan as Byou and Jin were... but I was sold to Queen Aria when I was ten as her servant, though I was later trained as her mage."
"Will it hurt Saga? And are you certain that you can see what has been done, Yuuto?" Tora asked, fixing him with a hard look.
"No, he will feel no pain, I will merely attempt to trace the magic worked on him and discover the curse. And I cannot make promises, but I will try my best to find out," Yuuto responded, holding his gaze.
Tora nodded. "Thank you."
Yuuto knelt down next to Saga, and placed a hand over his forehead. Softly, he began to chant a spell, his fingers glowing faintly as he closed his eyes tightly. Tora stroked the back of Saga's hand, anxious to know what had happened.
Suddenly, Yuuto jerked back, eyes flying open, their lilac glow fading rapidly. Tora looked at him sharply. "What is it?"
Yuuto took a deep breath, and replied slowly, "When I tried to touch his mind, I found traces of Jin's magic - an ancient curse for torture. However... there were incredibly strong walls that protected Saga's mind. I cannot tell you the extent of the curse, though I have my suspicions. I did not find any weaknesses in the barriers, save for a small one, that echoed with your aura."
"What do you mean? And what is the curse?" Tora asked.
"If anything, you are the only one who can break down those barriers. And the curse is very old, once used to torture criminals. As far as I know... this curse manipulates the victim's deepest, darkest fears and memories," Yuuto said quietly, looking pale.
"Yuuto? What's wrong?" Iv asked quickly, kneeling down next to Yuuto and looking deeply concerned.
"Have you had it used on you?" Tora asked softly.
Iv looked up at him, looking worried and angry at the same time. "It doesn't matter!" he said. "Yuuto's not well!"
Yuuto shook his head. "It's fine. Yes, Tora, you're right. If you must know... I was not only born in the same clan as Byou and Jin, I also grew up with them - or at least Jin - till I was ten. The two of us were the best of friends. Byou, his older brother, never liked me, though... I was considered weak in the clan, for all of us are supposed to be great magic users, and our powers are supposed to be somewhat developed by the age of seven, and by the age of nine, all our abilities should have manifested to some extent. Yet, by those ages, my powers were still weak and hard to control. I was sold when I was ten. They called me hopeless - said that my human blood made me unworthy.
"But before all of that. Jin and I were as close as brothers. He was my best friend and I trusted him so much. I can remember him crying bitterly as I was taken away to be sold to the Queen, as Byou looked on in disapproval. However, I was a late bloomer - my powers finally developed when I was about thirteen, and I was soon sent for training among the Queen's personal bodyguards. I became much stronger than most my age, and when I was eighteen, I met Jin again. I was sent to my former clan in an exchange programme.
"He had changed greatly. No longer was he the boy I knew as a child. Instead, he had become almost as cold and ruthless as Byou. We were supposed to have a friendly duel, but when I was the one who won, he became so angry that he threw this exact curse at me. My vision changed, and everything hurt, and still in front of me I saw my greatest fear coming true - and I believed it was real. Then he suddenly stopped..."
"Why?" Iv asked softly.
Yuuto smiled bitterly. "You see, my greatest fear then was seeing Jin die. I never forgot him... and I still cared about him at that point. I suppose you could say I was in love with him, even. When I found out I would see him, I was so excited, so happy. I thought that he would still be happy to see me... his old best friend - only to find out how much he had changed. But thankfully... not so much then that he could bear to inflict its full power on me," Yuuto murmured. "When he stopped, he was punished by the clan elders for continuing to duel when I had clearly won, and I was taken back to the palace to recuperate."
Tora exhaled softly, realising he had been holding his breath. "Were... were there any... aftereffects? Of the curse?" he asked hesitantly.
"For me... after Jin stopped, I fainted for a couple of hours. But I had suffered only a fraction of the curse's full power. When it was still in use, centuries ago, it turned countless victims mad. I pray that neither Saga nor you will suffer such a fate, but I must warn you to be prepared. Very few have had the strength to withstand this curse," Yuuto replied sadly.
Tora let out an involuntary shudder. What happened to Yuuto had sounded terrifying, and that had not even been the full effects of the curse. What had Saga seen as he was tortured? What had made him scream with such pain and horror?
"Tora... we will go and set up the wards, now. Take care of Saga," Iv said softly.
He rose with Yuuto, supporting him slightly despite his small stature. Tora watched them go and turned back to Saga. He felt horribly tired, after all the events of the night. Pressing a kiss to Saga's forehead, he lay his head down on the side of the bed and promptly fell asleep.
-
When Tora awoke, it was late in the morning, and Saga was not yet up. He could sense the strength of the wards around the apartment, and looking at Saga one more time, rose and walked out. He saw Yuuto asleep on the couch, looking weary, while Iv rested on the armchair, curled up like a child, also looking tired.
Deciding not to disturb them, he walked back into the room and gazed at his lover once more. Once more, he wondered exactly what Saga's final plea had meant. Was he still struggling with the curse, even though Jin was being knocked out by Shou? Was he pleading for Tora to stop the visions that were haunting him, whatever they were?
He kissed Saga's lips briefly, and then let out a gasp of surprise as Saga's eyelids flickered. After a few seconds, they opened, and Tora held his breath. Saga stared up at the ceiling for a second before he blinked and turned to Tora. His eyes were wide and curious - innocent, even - and Tora felt his stomach plummet.
"Who are you?"
ETA: I would like to mention that despite all the angst... things will somehow get better, and don't give up hope just yet! Also, more Underground-universe updates (and not just interludes) are in store ;) Look out for them!
Author: silveryxdark @ arcoireis
Chapters: 24/32
Pairings: Tora x Saga [main], Shou x Hiroto, Shou x Tora, Reita x Saga, Saga x various, other various pairings
Bands: Alice Nine, the GazettE, An Cafe, vistlip, SCREW, more to come?
Genre: Romance, paranormal, angst, drama, smut
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Manxman, smut, liberal messing with traditional stories?
Disclaimer: I'll never own them :'(
Summary: In the Underground dwell demons, spirits and cambions of every kind. Ruled by Queen Aria, the most powerful succubus in a century, it is a dark, hellish court. Among them is Prince Saga - borne of Queen Aria and one of her mortal lovers. A cambion - half-incubus and half-human - he is blessed with deadly beauty, powers of seduction and immortal life, yet cursed with insatiable lust and mortal strength and agility, lesser than the other demons. Outcast his whole life for his human blood, things begin to change as he comes of age...
A/N: At the end.
Previous Chapters:
[PROLOGUE] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6A] [6B] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18A] [18B] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]
Interludes:
[Interlude 1] [Interlude 2] [Interlude 3]
Tora had never been happier in his life to see the Queen. Cold fury lined her face as she glared at the unconscious Byou and Jin, her spine rigid. Tora lifted Saga in his arms and bowed slightly, looking at her expectantly.
"Take the two of them to prison first. We will interrogate them when they are awake," she called to her guards, who hurried to handcuff the pair and bring them out.
Two regally robed young demons - mages, by the look of them - stood behind her, surveying the scene carefully. Their eyes met Tora's, and he noticed that the taller one, with dark eyes and hair, looked upset as the guards carrying Byou and Jin passed him.
Aria swept over to Tora and looked at Saga, her face softening in concern. "There has been a great curse worked upon him. I cannot tell what curse it is... but I have assigned two of my best mages to you and Saga for protection. Yuuto, Iv, you are to protect Saga at all costs," she said, gesturing to the pair behind her in turn.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they said in unison, immediately flanking Tora.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness is very much appreciated," Tora said gratefully, and looked at Shou and Hiroto. "We must leave now. Shou, Hiroto... thank you for everything."
Shou shook his head. "I should have taken better care of my own brother," he murmured.
Tora looked away, and then nodded to the mages. Iv - the shorter blond one - began to chant a portal spell, and soon another sphere of light appeared in front of them. Tora focused wholly on Saga's apartment, and stepped through it, closely followed by Iv and Yuuto.
He arrived in his bedroom, and carefully set Saga down on the bed, before tucking him in and brushing the stray hair from his face. Saga's face was peacefully blank now, looking almost dead - only the steady rise and fall of his chest gave any real indication that he was alive - though not quite well, no.
"Master Tora -"
"Just Tora, please," Tora said wearily.
The two nodded, and Iv said, "Tora, what do you wish for us to do now?"
"Ward this place against every other demon and cambion. Prince Shou, my brother Hiroto, Her Majesty Aria, the servants Nao and Kai, and the Lady Sirane may enter, however," Tora said. "Repel all others, inflict pain if necessary."
"Isn't the Lady Sirane dead?" Yuuto asked hesitantly, speaking for the first time.
Tora gave a humourless smile. "No, she faked it years ago. She wished to escape my father, who abused her severely," Tora replied quietly, feeling angry.
"Very well. Then, do you wish to ward the apartment against humans, too?" Iv asked.
"They may enter and leave freely. I trust them, or at least Saga's friends here. I know who will not harm Saga," Tora murmured, looking back at Saga's sleeping visage.
"Tora..." Yuuto began hesitantly. "May I ask that you allow me to examine Prince Saga, to see what damage has been done to him? You see... I was born into the same clan as Byou and Jin were... but I was sold to Queen Aria when I was ten as her servant, though I was later trained as her mage."
"Will it hurt Saga? And are you certain that you can see what has been done, Yuuto?" Tora asked, fixing him with a hard look.
"No, he will feel no pain, I will merely attempt to trace the magic worked on him and discover the curse. And I cannot make promises, but I will try my best to find out," Yuuto responded, holding his gaze.
Tora nodded. "Thank you."
Yuuto knelt down next to Saga, and placed a hand over his forehead. Softly, he began to chant a spell, his fingers glowing faintly as he closed his eyes tightly. Tora stroked the back of Saga's hand, anxious to know what had happened.
Suddenly, Yuuto jerked back, eyes flying open, their lilac glow fading rapidly. Tora looked at him sharply. "What is it?"
Yuuto took a deep breath, and replied slowly, "When I tried to touch his mind, I found traces of Jin's magic - an ancient curse for torture. However... there were incredibly strong walls that protected Saga's mind. I cannot tell you the extent of the curse, though I have my suspicions. I did not find any weaknesses in the barriers, save for a small one, that echoed with your aura."
"What do you mean? And what is the curse?" Tora asked.
"If anything, you are the only one who can break down those barriers. And the curse is very old, once used to torture criminals. As far as I know... this curse manipulates the victim's deepest, darkest fears and memories," Yuuto said quietly, looking pale.
"Yuuto? What's wrong?" Iv asked quickly, kneeling down next to Yuuto and looking deeply concerned.
"Have you had it used on you?" Tora asked softly.
Iv looked up at him, looking worried and angry at the same time. "It doesn't matter!" he said. "Yuuto's not well!"
Yuuto shook his head. "It's fine. Yes, Tora, you're right. If you must know... I was not only born in the same clan as Byou and Jin, I also grew up with them - or at least Jin - till I was ten. The two of us were the best of friends. Byou, his older brother, never liked me, though... I was considered weak in the clan, for all of us are supposed to be great magic users, and our powers are supposed to be somewhat developed by the age of seven, and by the age of nine, all our abilities should have manifested to some extent. Yet, by those ages, my powers were still weak and hard to control. I was sold when I was ten. They called me hopeless - said that my human blood made me unworthy.
"But before all of that. Jin and I were as close as brothers. He was my best friend and I trusted him so much. I can remember him crying bitterly as I was taken away to be sold to the Queen, as Byou looked on in disapproval. However, I was a late bloomer - my powers finally developed when I was about thirteen, and I was soon sent for training among the Queen's personal bodyguards. I became much stronger than most my age, and when I was eighteen, I met Jin again. I was sent to my former clan in an exchange programme.
"He had changed greatly. No longer was he the boy I knew as a child. Instead, he had become almost as cold and ruthless as Byou. We were supposed to have a friendly duel, but when I was the one who won, he became so angry that he threw this exact curse at me. My vision changed, and everything hurt, and still in front of me I saw my greatest fear coming true - and I believed it was real. Then he suddenly stopped..."
"Why?" Iv asked softly.
Yuuto smiled bitterly. "You see, my greatest fear then was seeing Jin die. I never forgot him... and I still cared about him at that point. I suppose you could say I was in love with him, even. When I found out I would see him, I was so excited, so happy. I thought that he would still be happy to see me... his old best friend - only to find out how much he had changed. But thankfully... not so much then that he could bear to inflict its full power on me," Yuuto murmured. "When he stopped, he was punished by the clan elders for continuing to duel when I had clearly won, and I was taken back to the palace to recuperate."
Tora exhaled softly, realising he had been holding his breath. "Were... were there any... aftereffects? Of the curse?" he asked hesitantly.
"For me... after Jin stopped, I fainted for a couple of hours. But I had suffered only a fraction of the curse's full power. When it was still in use, centuries ago, it turned countless victims mad. I pray that neither Saga nor you will suffer such a fate, but I must warn you to be prepared. Very few have had the strength to withstand this curse," Yuuto replied sadly.
Tora let out an involuntary shudder. What happened to Yuuto had sounded terrifying, and that had not even been the full effects of the curse. What had Saga seen as he was tortured? What had made him scream with such pain and horror?
"Tora... we will go and set up the wards, now. Take care of Saga," Iv said softly.
He rose with Yuuto, supporting him slightly despite his small stature. Tora watched them go and turned back to Saga. He felt horribly tired, after all the events of the night. Pressing a kiss to Saga's forehead, he lay his head down on the side of the bed and promptly fell asleep.
-
When Tora awoke, it was late in the morning, and Saga was not yet up. He could sense the strength of the wards around the apartment, and looking at Saga one more time, rose and walked out. He saw Yuuto asleep on the couch, looking weary, while Iv rested on the armchair, curled up like a child, also looking tired.
Deciding not to disturb them, he walked back into the room and gazed at his lover once more. Once more, he wondered exactly what Saga's final plea had meant. Was he still struggling with the curse, even though Jin was being knocked out by Shou? Was he pleading for Tora to stop the visions that were haunting him, whatever they were?
He kissed Saga's lips briefly, and then let out a gasp of surprise as Saga's eyelids flickered. After a few seconds, they opened, and Tora held his breath. Saga stared up at the ceiling for a second before he blinked and turned to Tora. His eyes were wide and curious - innocent, even - and Tora felt his stomach plummet.
"Who are you?"
ETA: I would like to mention that despite all the angst... things will somehow get better, and don't give up hope just yet! Also, more Underground-universe updates (and not just interludes) are in store ;) Look out for them!