(no subject)
Title: 31 Trials from Hell
Rating: 18
This chapter: PG
Main Characters from: Gacktjob, Malice Mizer
Main Pairing: Gackt X Kami
Summary: When his lover dies Gackt will do anything it takes to get him back even if it means following him into the depths of hell.
Previous Trials
Trial 1: The Deal
Trial 2: Trust
Trial 3: Cerberus
Trial 4: Valhalla
As Gackt materialised in this new dimension he breathed a sigh of relief, he was in a field where the grass grew long and thick with the occasional scattering of wild flowers, a welcome change from the barren landscape of death. There was no one in sight but instinct seemed to tell him that he wasn't far from the main camp. Memories were slipping through the cracks now and he realised that You was right, he had been here before. He remembered the lay of the land at least and realised that he was standing in the middle of a battle field where mock battles were often fought as part of the soldiers training.
Valhalla was nothing but a grand training camp for warriors to practise until they were perfect fighting machines and though a grand war waited on the horizon nobody knew when it would happen and the men, and women, were beginning to suspect it would never come to pass. What did they have to fear in battle anyway? They were already dead and had all had their souls scattered and rejoined at least once while they were training here. It was just part of the natural order off things.
The people here were happy, Gackt remembered that now, though there were those like him who were growing bored of the endless cycle of training and partying and then there was the oldest souls off all, some of which had given up on everything and You had put into an endless sleep only to be awoken when the time comes, Ragnarok, that was the word he was trying so hard to remember. Some kind of civil war among the gods that lead to an apocalypse on earth. Everything would be destroyed and from the survivors a new world would be born.
'I can't believe I forgot all this.' Gackt thought as he wandered towards the army barracks trying desperately to scratch down the wall in his brain that was keeping vital information from him but nothing more seemed to want to seep through to his consciousness. Perhaps he had learned all he needed for this life anyway, if You was in control here and the men were happy then his judgement off You's character could only be confirmed. It was a welcome piece of information because despite his trust in You it had come from nothing but instinct, now he had facts to back him up. Besides how long could he jump through portals to escape Chachamaru's seductive words? The demon was persuasive and knew just what he had to say to make him doubt his choice. Things would be so much easier if he just made the deal but then where would that lead? He'd have to work for a demon with no promises that he'd ever see Kami ever again. You's way may prove long and difficult but it had an everlasting reward at the end, Kami. Dear sweet Kami who had loved him unconditionally and always been there. His memory didn't fail him when it came to his lover, he could imagine Kami standing here right now smiling softly as his long hair fell down his back so soft and gentle to the touch. They'd had fun times, serious times, romantic times and even bad times but their love had always remained true.
By the time Gackt reached the barracks he almost wanted to cry, the time alone had reminded him just how much he missed his lover but he had to remain strong. These men were warriors and would tease him senseless if he walked in crying. Bracing himself Gackt pushed open the doors and headed inside expecting to find You waiting for him He wasn't and for the first time Gackt began to worry, what if something had happened to the Valkyrie? The last time he had seen him he'd been battling Cerberus and he hadn't even stopped to worry, You knew what he was doing. But then the dragon, Cerberus, had come after him and there had been no sign of his friend. Had Cerberus won? What if You was lying injured somewhere in death and he was so selfish and cowardly he's only run away? Chachamaru had been there too, had he hurt You? Perhaps trapping him preventing him from helping him. Without You he could be trapped in Valhalla until someone realised he was still alive and did something about it, he'd never see Kami again.
“Gakuto!” cried out a friendly voice as a large blond man came running towards him. He looked to be around seventeen and clearly a Viking in his past life if the armour and hair style said anything about him. He seemed friendly though as he wrapped Gackt in a hug exclaiming about how much he had missed him. Mentally this man was still just a boy prone to emotional outbursts though he wasn't the only one who recognised Gackt and welcomed him home.
“Well you stayed alive longer this time.” joked a man who looked like he had once been a native American. He was probably in his early twenties and gave Gackt a friendly nod before making way for an Asian woman off around the same age. She seemed almost shy in her greeting and blushed slightly as she hugged her long lost friend.
“So what killed you this time?” the Viking asked. “Something violent I hope, like a hammer to your brain. Did it take three strokes? That's how my brother died you know.”
“You and violent deaths.” muttered the woman rolling her eyes. “You Vikings are all the same.”
“Well if you don't like us go away, Valhalla is Viking heaven.” the Viking complained though it was clear he didn't mean it.
“What no input from Gakuto?” the woman asked Gackt confused. “You're always first to go on about equality and anti-racism. What is it you like to say “Everyone here is a warrior with a warriors soul, only their honour can vary?”
“I don't remember any of you.” Gackt admitted. “I'm sorry. I'm looking for You.”
“But I'm your best friend.” the Viking complained. “Remember when we first met? I was the first blond you had ever seen and my hair fascinated you. We were like brothers!”
“How can you forget Wolf?” the woman asked angrily. “I get it, the rest off us weren't that close but Wolf...”
“Wolf?” Gackt repeated. “I'm sorry. My memories are still locked away.”
“And that's why you need to find You.” Wolf replied with a relieved smile, happy that there was a valid reason for Gackt, Gakuto, to be acting so distant. “He should be back soon. He likes to lead training sessions. I'm Ulf by the way seeing as you forgot but I started getting called Wolf over my centuries here and the name kind of stuck. These are Mei and Lapu.” he explained pointing to the woman and the native American in turn.
“Well it's nice to meet you.” Gackt replied rather formerly sensing that Mei accepted Wolf's explanation though Lapu was suspicious. He seemed the quite type who stood back and watched and it worried Gackt, such men were usually the ones who knew what was really going on. If he was suspicious then he'd begin to pry. Should he just admit the truth? That he was still alive and looking for his lost love?
“So if it isn't little Gakuto.” spoke up a less than friendly voice as a man dressed up like a Crusader entered the room. He seemed less than pleased to find Gackt back and as he approached many of the warriors backed slowly away. Whoever he was he had power and when Wolf whispered that this was the General Richard his suspicions were confirmed. “Tell me Lieutenant, what does it feel like to be a deserter?”
“It's General Gakuto.” Gackt spoke up firmly glaring the other man down. Surprised whispers filled the room but Richard looked unimpressed and as he took Gackt's hand and whispered the spell to make the brand shine he began to smirk.
“The mark of a Lieutenant.” Richard snapped. “You lied to me! I don't tolerate liars among my troops.”
“Perhaps You hasn't promoted him yet?” Wolf spoke up though even he seemed to be doubting Gackt's announcement when the evidence showed so clearly that he was only a Lieutenant.
“No, You would have done the brand straight away.” Richard replied. “Gakuto is nothing but a liar and a coward.”
“I am not a coward.” Gackt snapped angrily, with the memory of his terrified run from Cerberus still fresh in his mind he found himself rather sensitive to such accusations.
“Lying again!” Richard snapped surprising Gackt with a fierce kick to his stomach that had him staggering backwards. It's been a long time since he had felt such pain from another man’s blow and the fact he hadn't been expecting it only made it worse. Rage boiled inside him and he struck feeling like he had just punched a wall. Armour certainly made martial arts difficult and despite all his knowledge and speed when it came to fighting that had never let him down before he soon found Richard was an equal match.
The fight may have last a few minutes or a few hours but when it finished it was only because both men were too exhausted to continue. With angry eyes they glared at each other knowing this would only end if one off them accepted defeat.
“We finish this tomorrow.” Richard declared breaking their temporary truce. “A duel to scattered souls. I see you've lost your sword, typical of a looser like you, I’d suggest you found one by morning.”
“You has my sword.” Gackt responded forcefully.
“Oh off course, just like he has your General's brand and that honour off yours that you keep going on about. It's no wonder you felt the need to leave here, what a man like you is doing among true warriors I’ll never know.” Richard replied before turning to walk away clearly disgusted with Gackt and what he thought was noting but lies.
“You can use my sword.” Mei offered later that night. You still hadn't arrived and the four off them had retreated to Gackt's room along with a few more men and another woman who seemed to be part of Gackt's circle of friends though he couldn't remember their names. Worry was clutching his heart for both You and himself but he did his best to look calm and stoic. He'd already made one enemy here and he didn't want to cast suspicion among his friends. Especially as Lapu already doubted him. Even now he was staring suspiciously and Gackt knew it was just a matter of time before the other voiced his concerns.
“Thanks Mei.” Gackt replied with a genuine smile as he accepted the blade and admired it's weight and length. It was smaller than his sword but longer and the metal glowed with the same red as his own, he could see now that though the sword appeared to be one colour it also reflected the entire spectrum, a bit like oil on water. “I'll make sure you get it back in one piece.”
“You'd better.” Mei replied fiercely though she seemed happy enough to trust him with her weapon.
“I'd have leant you my axe if you wanted it.” Wolf spoke up always keen to stay on Gackt's good side. Nodding in appreciation Gackt smiled and offered his thanks touched by the blonds devoted loyalty he seemed to have for him.
“What I want to know is where your sword is.” Lapu spoke up. “You only takes weapons from those he is about to banish.”
“He needed my sword to fight.” Gackt responded. “I swear I'm not in any trouble. Just things are a little complicated right now.”
“Then you'd better start talking.” Lapu replied with a glare and around the room the others nodded in consent. Even Wolf looked curious as to what was going on though he was doing his best to stay loyal.
“I'm sure Gakuto has good reason for keeping secrets.” Wolf spoke up coming straight to his friends defence without thought or hesitation.
“We have good reason to know, if we stand up for him and he's in trouble then we'll all go down too.” Lapu responded. “So what is it Gakuto? Are you going to fight alone or are you going to let your friends in on what is going on?”
“I'm not sure if You wants me to tell anyone so this can't leave the room.” Gackt warned and around him his friends nodded. It sounded fair to them and praying he could truly trust there people that knew him so well, even though he felt like they had just met, he admitted the truth.
“I'm still alive.” he explained praying to every deity he could think off that he had just made the right decision.