Eternity In His Hand 16/17

[Goldberry]

Warning: This chapter is very bloody. Please use your own discretion upon reading if that sort of thing makes you queasy.

The Sword = The Peacecraft sword that Relena carries.

The sword = Any other sword.







Eternity In His Hand

Chapter Sixteen



?So it?s you, Mr. Principal.?

Treize Kushranada smiled.

?Indeed, but I would have thought you would have figured that much out before now.? He gestured to the rainbow-hued hall. ?Welcome to the Castle of Peacecraft, Heero Yuy, Champion of the Bride. It?s a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.?

Heero?s jaw tightened. ?I?m afraid I can?t say the feeling is mutual.? His eyes flickered to Relena who was watching him blankly. ?What is the meaning of this? I thought I was to fight for Eternity??

?And you will.? He nodded to something behind Heero and Heero turned to follow his gaze, finding a rose covered door in the wall, the flower?s vines covering every inch of the actual door. Thorns the size of his finger created a harsh barrier to anyone trying to open it and Heero felt a shiver work its way down his spine. Here was the door to Eternity.

?But,? Treize continued when Heero had turned back again, ?there are some things I must rectify before we duel.? And in a move so surprising and horrifying that Heero was unable to react, Treize turned Relena sideways and plunged his hand into her stomach. Blood dripped to the smooth tiles beneath her feet as Relena arced backwards, a cry escaping her as Treize?s fingers tightened around something and he pulled. The hilt of the Sword appeared slowly, no globe of light heralding its arrival, just the awful sound of blood hitting the floor and Relena?s agonized cries as the Sword was ripped from her forcefully. This was no beautiful giving of the Sword to the Champion but a gross violation of an outsider simply taking the blade and tearing her soul in half. Heero barely realized he was screaming until he heard the return echo of his own voice as Relena finally went silent, Treize simply letting her fall to the floor as the Sword came completely free in his hands. The Academy?s Principal held the weapon vertically, his expression one of awe as he caressed the bloodied steel.

?At last,? he said, ?it?s mine.?

Heero could only stare, stricken, at Relena?s prone form, the growing pool of blood under her body reflected in his eyes. With a massive effort, Heero got his legs to move, his knees to bend and he flung himself down beside her, uncaring of the blood that soaked into his uniform. His face white and his hands shaking, he reached out to touch her face, unable to look upon the ragged wound in her abdomen.

?Relena,? he croaked, and miracle of miracles, she opened her eyes.

?Heero,? she mumbled, her voice softer than a whisper, strengthless. He gripped her hand but she turned her head slightly and looked past him. ?Brother.?

Heero jerked, glanced over his shoulder, and came face to face with a ghost. Pale and transparent, a man stood to the side and behind him, watching Relena with soulful ice blue eyes. He was dressed oddly, as if he had walked out of a storybook, an empty sheath strapped to his waist. He looked almost like?

Like a prince.

The apparition kneeled down beside Heero, a ghostly hand touching Relena?s cheek. ?Relena,? he said and the Rose Bride smiled. Then the noble figure turned to Heero and the Champion straightened, suddenly very conscious of the Seal on his finger, but the ghost said nothing. He simply stood and backed away again as Relena squeezed Heero?s fingers, bringing his attention back to her.

?Heero, do you believe??

The question was so quiet he had to strain to hear her and when he did he wasn?t sure he understood. Glazed eyes watched him, waiting for an answer and so he gave her one.

?Yes.?

A hint of a smile and then, ?Do not be afraid. I am with you and there is another.?

?Another??

She lifted her hand weakly and pressed it against his heart as he leaned over her, her breath rasping through her lungs. As soon as he felt her touch there was an impact that rippled outward from his center, a wave of silent thunder that stilled all noise and even drew Treize?s attention away from his contemplation of the Sword he had stolen. Heero?s eyes widened as something began to burn inside his chest.

?Relena,? he gasped, and then light bloomed around her palm, a familiar sphere that blinded him. Even as he realized what was happening, Relena curled her fingers around the emerging hilt and pulled with all her might. Wind blazed through the great hall and the colored glass in the windows rattled as Heero?s soul sword came to rest over the Rose Bride?s dying body. She clutched the new born weapon in weak hands, her face pale in contrast to the blood around her. Heero knelt there silently, his body shuddering as he came to terms with what had just happened.

Just like the many times he had pulled the Sword from Relena?s body, she had now pulled one from his and, even to his eyes, it was glorious. His sword was a foot longer than the Sword of Peacecraft, the hilt chased with obsidian and silver and on the blade itself words were etched into the metal in flowing script. Oddly, he couldn?t read them but that did not lessen the weapon?s hard beauty.

Slowly, he reached out and took the hilt from Relena, feeling a strange sensation inside as he did so. He was a holding a piece of himself. The sword gleamed in his hands as Relena?s eyes closed.

Finding himself incapable of saying her name, he swung the sword in a arc until its point aimed at Treize?s heart. The Principal smiled again but his gaze swiftly turned to the ghost that stood a few feet from Heero.

?It has been a long time, Zechs.? The white mirage said nothing and so Treize continued, ?It?s a shame you?ve had to stay locked up in here for such a long time.? He glanced at Heero. ?Although I noticed you?ve been helping the newest Champion.?

Heero frowned and glanced at the ghost. ?It was you? The vision the others spoke of seeing when I was dueling?? A thought dawned on him then. The prince, the empty sheath?

But Zechs was speaking. ?Yes, I am the Power of Peacecraft that the Rose Bride calls upon. I am the First Champion.?

Heero?s mind was racing. ?So, the Sword that Relena kept inside her??

Zechs bowed his head. ?It was mine.?

Treize laughed. ?Tell him the story, Zechs. It?s only fair that he know what he?s been fighting for all this time. Tell him.?

Zechs glanced at Treize, fury and hatred raging in his mystical eyes before he looked to Heero once more but the last Champion interrupted him.

?The prince that saved my mother from drowning, the man that gave her the ring I wear. He was you.? Heero barely waited for Zechs? nod. ?So all along, you knew it would bring me here, to this moment.?

?Yes,? Zechs replied, his deep voice echoing through out the dimly lit chamber. ?Long ago, in an age very different from this one, I was a prince. I rode about the countryside wielding the great Sword of Peacecraft and rescuing maidens without a care in the world. That time was magical almost and the Peacecrafts more than others for our line guarded the Gate.? Heero?s gaze was drawn irresistibly to the rose-covered door behind the ghost. ?They said whoever went through it could hold Eternity in his hands, would have all his fondest dreams come true. I had never thought of opening it myself. I was happy with my life and I had fallen in love and love can fill a person until there is nothing else to want.? The prince?s voice grew soft. ?I was happy until a friend of mine, Duke Treize Kushranada learned of the power of the Rose Gate. He wanted it for himself and to open it he had to have the Sword. When I learned of his treacherous plans I knew he would come for it. Our battle took place in this citadel.? Zechs motioned to the hall. ?My sister, Relena, had come as a witness and to perhaps stand as the last remaining guardian of the Gate. Treize and I fought and it became apparent that I would lose and in that moment I cast such a spell that the very fabric of my life was torn apart.? Here an expression of pain marred his features. ?I sheathed the Sword into my own sister, the last guardian. In her soul the Sword would remain safe. Only a select few would be able to draw it but only one who loved the Bride, not for the Sword she carried but for herself, could destroy the curse upon it. As I uttered what I thought was my dying incantation, I felt the rose ring on my finger sear my skin and a part of me, a shadow was left in this world. Treize had heard my spell but with me basically out of the picture, he still had Relena even though he could not draw the Sword from her. He built the Academy and instituted the dueling matches you took part in. You see, he was looking for the one, the Final Champion, who would love the Bride and at last make the Sword useable for him. I looked too, scouring the countryside for any sign of a man that would think not of power but of redemption. For as you might have guessed, the spell that had saved the Gate had made my sister a slave. Treize bound her soul with spells that forced her to do the will of any who won her, hoping that these men would fall in love with a girl that would do anything for them. It was at this dark time that Relena became known as the Rose Bride and when I saved your mother from the river. I knew who she was right away, knew what child she would birth and so I gave her the ring, hoping she would one day give it to you. My powers waned and soon I became unable to leave the Castle.? Zechs? eyes pierced Heero. ?Until you came. When you needed me I found I could join with you, make you stronger. I wanted an end to it all, even if it meant Treize should have Eternity. Relena was a slave and I was hovering somewhere between life and death. Everyone I had loved had died long before. It was time to end this game.? He eyes shifted to Relena. ?I did not count on her loving you in return.?

Treize raised the Sword. ?So you finally see the error of your ways. By trying to keep this away from me you brought this down upon yourself and her. It was all in vain, Zechs, for I have the Sword now thanks to the Champion and Eternity is waiting for me.?

?I don?t think so.?

Heero stood, lifting his soul sword as he went, his voice dead and emotionless.

Treize arched an eyebrow. ?You would stop me??

?It?s why I?m here, after all,? Heero answered, ?Zechs, your curse promised a savior, someone who would love the Bride and make everything right again. You sought him to free Relena but there is another purpose, isn?t there.? It wasn?t a question. ?I can feel it.?

Treize frowned but Zechs nodded. ?The Final Champion would be able to neutralize the Sword, allowing it to be wielded by anyone, but also for another reason.?

Heero finished for him, ?To destroy it.?

Zechs spoke quietly. ?If he had but the will to do so.?

Treize smirked. ?You would annihilate the only key to Eternity? The power that would let you remake the world? Let you grant anyone?s wish??

Heero began to move to the side, circling around in a battle stance. ?If I destroy it, everything will be over.?

?Yes, but Relena will still be dead. Nothing can change that.?

It was Heero?s turn to smirk. ?She isn?t dead. A part of her soul is resides in that Sword. As long as it is whole she will continue to breathe.?

?Then you speak of her death by destroying it.?

Heero shook his head, feeling suddenly very confidant, like the times when Zechs had come down from the Castle to fight with him. ?I don?t think so.? He lifted the point of his sword and lunged at his opponent. Treize parried and the two duelists moved around each other, striking when they perceived a weakness in the other?s defense. There was no sound in the great hall besides the ring of steel on steel and the rasp of shoes on tile.

Treize was at an immediate disadvantage due to the superior reach of Heero?s sword and in no time at all Heero had the other man retreating before him, the Sword of Peacecraft reduced to deflection blows rather than giving them. It was almost sad, seeing the Sword he had wielded so often in the hands of a man whose treachery ran back for hundreds of years, the man who had enslaved Relena and who hungered only for power.

?What will you do with it, Treize? You must have seen how corrupt dreams can lead to a duelist?s downfall,? Heero said flaty, catching the Principal across the shoulder. Blood ran from a clean slice and Treize moved to the side quickly.


?Ah yes, the duelists. I must admit they were not the best choices for candidates but they possessed the ability to draw forth the sword from Relena. Despite their human desires something eternal binds them and allows them to use the power of Peacecraft, if only for a short while. They all wanted Eternity but, as you now know, none of them would have received it anyway, so what does it matter? The Final Champion?s only purpose is to neutralize the Sword for me. That was the goal I set when I instituted the duels. Trowa knew it all along and was happy to defer to me, if it meant I might use a part of Eternity to cure his sister. He was to be my Champion and hand the Sword over to me. If you had only conceded defeat Relena might still be unharmed.?

?You?re wrong,? Heero countered, ?Trowa doesn?t love Relena. That was the mistake he made.?

Treize lunged. ?Well, who can say what might have happened in time? I?m a patient man, I would not have minded waiting.? Blue sparks flew as the swords met and then shivered apart.

?Duo,? Heero said suddenly, blocking a swipe at his abdomen, ?He found out your plans, didn?t he? He knew that whoever made it to Revolution would be ultimately killed by you after you had retrieved the Sword.?

?Unfortunately,? Treize affirmed, ?and yet he still wanted to take your place. I blackmailed him into keeping my secret after he lost his duel with you and obviously he honored the arrangement for you came here not knowing what awaited you.?

Thinking of Hilde, Heero answered, ?I can guess what you used for blackmail and if he hadn?t kept his mouth shut I would have killed him myself.?

?You loyalty to your friends is touching but I?m afraid it won?t save you here.?

A well placed forward thrust caught Heero in the side and the soul sword twisted in his hands, unable to turn the Sword away. Heero fell backwards, his free hand pressed against the wound in his side as Treize stood over him, smiling calmly.

?It?s almost a pity to kill you. You are by far the best duelist I have met but your fate has always been to die so I will give it you.? The Sword of Peacecraft lifted and began and downward fall that would mostly likely spear Heero?s heart.

Cold.

There was a brief moment of coldness and then Heero felt his mind go blank. No happiness, no anger, just the battle and the feel of his sword hilt still clenched in his right hand. He looked upwards with dark cobalt eyes ringed with ice blue and Treize cried out.

?Zechs!?

But it was too late.

Heero lifted his sword almost casually and stopped the Sword before it could descend, pushing Treize back at his momentum was crushed. The Final Champion smirked.

?Do not call me, lest I bring my wrath upon you.? The double toned voice echoed throughout the chamber and in the back of his mind, Heero realized Zechs had joined with him.

One last time, Heero.

And as the prince?s low voice brushed across his mind, Heero felt strength pour into him, flooding him. The wound he had taken seeming suddenly so distant.

?Yes,? Heero said aloud, ?One last time. Together.?

Treize was no match against Heero and Zechs. He gave ground as the First and Final Champions pushed him backwards. He was panting as Heero delivered a blow to his ribs that knocked the wind out of him and he went down on one knee, spent. Blood ran from a number of wounds on the Principal?s body but the Sword was also painted crimson with the blood of Heero as well. They were at an end.

?Well done, Zechs,? Treize murmured, ?You have defeated me at last although you have failed in everything else.?

And then speed that should have been impossible, Treize rolled, came up on his feet and threw himself at the Gate. They had been fighting towards it for some time and it was only a few yards away. Heero surged after him but Treize plunged the Sword through the covering of vines and roses and rotated it like one might turn a key. A rush of hot wind and the door began to creak open, radiant light illuminated the cracks around the gate, spilling outwards to fill the hall.

Treize was laughing, Zechs had gone silent, Relena was dying, and Heero could do only one thing.

With a shout of defiance, Heero closed the space between himself and the Principal and let his soul sword run Treize Kushranada though.

He stopped laughing.

His eyes when he looked at Heero were wide and vacant, almost like the Rose Bride?s.

?I never thought?.? he whispered.

And then he died.

Grimly, Heero pulled his sword free and the blade winked out in his hand, a jolt rocking his body as it went back to its rightful place.

But the door, it was still opening, it was still opening?

?Heero,? Zechs was beside him, his gaze fixed on the Sword still in the Gate. ?The Gate, it requires the Champion, but I must warn you. If you go inside you will not remain yourself. The power to grant wishes and make dreams reality comes at a price, as does all things.?

Heero looked at him for a long moment. ?Then we shall have to hold on to each other.? Zechs frowned but Heero turned away from his and went to Relena, lifting her bloody and unconscious body in his arms and holding her firmly to him. He wouldn?t let her go, no matter what. He approached the Gate again and nodded at the Sword.

Hesitantly, Zechs laid his hand upon it and it sprang free almost as if it knew it was returning to its rightful master. He gazed upon it as if unsure of what to feel before sheathing it with a final click and Heero knew it would never be drawn again.

The prince stepped across the body of the fallen Treize and looked upon the rainbow hall, his prison, one last time before coming to stand even with Heero, their eyes focused on the endless light of the Gate.

?Thank you, Heero, for becoming the man I thought you would be. You have already granted my wish.?

Heero answered, ?I thank you, Zechs, for fighting with me.? He paused and looked down at Relena. ?And for giving my mother the ring that lead me to her.?

The two men looked at each other silently a long moment before facing forwards and as one stepping through the Gate.

The doors closed behind them.









To Be Concluded

[Chibi Reli]

Oh my god! This is so great! Chibi Reli wants the last chapter!!!

[WhiteWindRRose]

omg!!! that was wonderful!
oooh! :razz: :razz:
this has definitely made my day
it's wonderful!

good ol' Heero to remember Rel.
so we'll be able to see how Heero's world's like then!
i'm intrigued.

[NafX]

Ohhh wow ... *blinks*
What's gonna happen next?
Come back soon with the rest won't you ?

~Nat.

[Kiyoko]

Oh wow that was so cool! I can't believe Trieze did that to Rel! He is so evil :evil: OH well, he got what he deserved! Anyway, I hope that you come out with the next chapter soon, I'm dying to see what happens!

[AngelOfDeath]

What a good sword fight.

Too bad Heero and Treize never got to actually sword fight in GW. That would have been interesting.

[Melville's Best Friend]

Berry, you NEED to update this NOW.

What a wonderful chapter!!!! ^__^

Wonderful sword fight! The images are easily seen. Just like a movie playing 'round in my head.

Blast that Trieze.


I TOLD YOU ALL HE WASN'T GOOD!!!!


That said, I await the next chapter. ^__^

[zipdos]

What nooooowwww!!!!!!! More more more pleeaaaaaasee!!! I can just imagine how this story is gonna end and I'm sure it's gonna be grandiose!!!!!

[J Alberghini]

Wah! great chapter, but so sad. please finish it quickly.

[Sissi]

Oh my God, I can't believe Treize did that!! He was so mean!! Well, not exactly mean, just too ambitious to my liking. The warning in the beginning was concerning the part where Treize pushed out the Sword from Relena's body? Well, I must say that it was quite heavy, but fortunately, after reading X/1999, I can say I was prepared for the image you've conceived, which was fabulous, extremely well detailed.

Okay, what about a new chapter? ^_^