Consequences of the Maou\'s Heart

Rated M for foul language, alcohol usage, dark themes, and homosexual sex. If you are not mature enough to deal with these please turn back now.

Chapter 25

Dawn crept upon the desert as a single figure trudged along, scanning the landscape for signs of life other than birds of prey and the small rodents they hunted. He'd been walking the entirety of the night and much of the day before it. Yet as the sun rose to warm the chilled desert the man was unable to fight his body's need to rest and he sat heavily on the cracked ground.

"Captain, where in Shinou's name are you?" Simon breathed in the dry air and cursed the unforgiving land that had consumed every trace of his captain and the Great Sage. After the dust had fully settled from the freak storm, Simon had taken charge. He'd ordered Edward to continue escorting the prisoners into town despite the silent man's adamant protests. Once the rest of the party was on their way, Simon started combing the desert in widening circles out from the place the storm hit them. He prayed to anyone one that would listen that he's find the missing men alive but he knew in his heart that he was more likely looking for their bodies. What he didn't expect was to find nothing, even the sand that had so furiously attacked them seemed to evaporate into the hardened dirt under his feet.

Questions plagued the green haired man as he sat staring into the wasteland. How could a sand storm swallow up two grown men and leave no trace of having ever occurred? Was this the work of some rouge earth moving Mazoku? How the hell was he going to tell Lord Voltaire, Lord Weller and Lady Celi that a freak storm took Wolfram? Worse yet, would Shinou order him killed for loosing both his descendent and the Great Sage? With a panicked look that was wasted on the vultures now circling him, Simon leveraged himself up and started back to the town. Negative ramifications or not the information needed to be passed on to Covenant castle. He could only wonder how Yuri Heika would react to the news.

*****

"Whad too yew bean Wobfwam gonna die?!" Blood and pain distorted Yuri's words as he stared up at a fuming Celi. Blood still flowing from his broken nose, he regretted speaking as she turned her vicious stare back at him.

"Exactly what I said, you and your stupid ideas on who can marry who have sentenced my baby to death."

"Now Lady Celi," Gunter spoke while glancing about the room nervously, "I understand you're upset, but why do you think Lord Bielefeld is in any danger?" Celi turned to face the second oldest person in the room with a glare still on her face.

"Tell me Lord Christ, if Shinou himself came to you and told you that Gisela would die unless she married some one who refused to marry her wouldn't you believe she was in danger?"

"Shinou!" Gwendal shouted finally snapping out of the shock that had held him silent and still once his mother began shouting about his littlest brother dieing. "Shinou told you something was going to happen to Wolfram and you didn't tell us?" Anger and a touch of betrayal laced his words.

"Gwen-y," some of the anger seeped out of Celi as she looked at her first born, "I would have but he told me that the less people who knew the better chance things had of working out." Now that the anger was fading moisture began to form in Celi's eyes even as she fought to contain her tears.

"Teli," Yuri started to speak before a loud crack and a wave of pain flooded his senses. The others turned to stare at the Maou as the bones in his nose seemed to rearrange themselves.

"Healing maryoku," Gunter gasped; he'd seen Gisela's wounds heal similarly when she'd started training as a medic but his beloved Maou had never shown so much aptitude for self healing.

"Shit," Yuri moaned pitifully, "What the hell?"

'Stop whining! Celi knows something about what's going on with our Wolf. I fixed your nose so you can ask her about it so ask damn it ask!' The voice in Yuri's head was back with a vengeance.

"Celi what's wrong with Wolfram?" For a moment it looked like she might not respond as she gathered her anger around her like a cape to ward off the sadness in her eyes, so Yuri added, "Please Celi no matter what's happened between us I still care about him deeply and 'can't bear the thought of life without him.'" If Yuri could have stared at his own mouth in shock he would have. He'd intended to say that Wolfram was his best friend but instead those other words had come out.

'It's the truth whether you wanted to admit it or not, I just helped you get the right words out.'

"I…," Celi stared at Yuri for a moment also shocked at his words, "I don't know," she admitted defeated, "I was only told that he would die not how."

"Mother perhaps it might be best if you told us exactly what happen when … Shinou Heika came to you," Gwendal's voice seemed steady but those who knew him could see the tell tale twitching of his hands that gave away his distressed state.

"Yes, you're right," and with an unsteady sigh Celi began to speak of the night Shinou visited her.

*****

A cold chill swept through the halls of Covenant Castle, moonlight faintly illuminating them as most of the residents slept. The war had officially ended months ago but extra guards still roamed the grounds, ready in the event that the humans went against the unsteady peace. Inside the largest ballroom stood another person unable to sleep for her own reasons.

Celi stared out across the ballroom's dusty visage. During her reign as Maou there had been precious little to celebrate, and nothing grand enough to require the huge ballroom. When she'd been approached to become the Maou she's had visions of elaborate parties and entertaining visiting dignitaries, instead she got bloodshed and three sons waging war.

It haunted her to think about the things her boys had seen and worse the things they had done in her name. Stoffel liked to say that he was trying to shield her from all the horrors of the war and now that it was over she was still finding out so many of those horrors were ones instigated by her brother. Her blood ran cold even thinking about the orders he'd given directly to her sons, his nephews. The boys would never tell her but slowly Raven was breaking the stories to her. All these things together left very little in the chances for sleep uninterrupted by nightmares.

It was one of these blood soaked dreams that had chased Celi from her bed and into the most deserted room she could think of. She had paced the room in lazy circles and told her self that she was practicing long unused dance steps till exhaustion tugged at her heels. With one last lingering look at the unused dance floor she turned to return to her rooms. She wasn't sure why but the figure standing by the door way didn't surprise her. Seemingly basking in the moonbeams stood Shinou Heika dressed in the formal attire most of his subjects knew him for.

"Shinou," Celi breathed out. She could pratically hear the young Lord Christ bemoaning her lack of title usage with the first Maou. But using a formal title for the man she'd spent more than a decade half cursing for making her Maou seemed pointless.

"My dear Cecilie it warms my heart to see such beauty as yours this dreary evening," a smirk played at the corner of his mouth when Celi only frowned in response. "Now now my dear such an expression is a waste on your face. Are you truly that unhappy to see me?" A flash of indecision appeared on Celi's face before she sighed and shook her head.

"Of course not but you must admit your presence is unusual and therefore alarming." The few occasions Celi had been witness to Shinou had left her wary of the spirit that had deemed her to be Maou.

"Hum, perhaps I should make myself more personable then?" before Celi had a chance to respond Shinou unclasped the tie of his fur lined cape and draped the heavy materiel over a creaking table before seating himself casually in one of the accompanying chairs. "See now, not nearly as alarming this way." Celi didn't trust herself to speak because even seated he emanated an aura of power and attentiveness. "You must be curious as to why I've come all the way here when it would have been much simpler to have called you to my temple."

"The thought had crossed my mind." Celi stood ramrod straight as his eyes seemed to trace every little movement she made.

"Now my sweet descendent, you are so on edge. Please take a seat, let us speak like equals." Fear shot through Celi, having a near deity try to treat her as an equal was hardly reassuring, yet she did as he instructed, taking the chair opposite him. "Excellent, now then, why not simply summon you? Well simply put my shrine maidens are a curious type and would undoubtedly pestered me till I let them in on the what's and why's of our chat. And some issues are best left to those with the most invested in them, don't you agree?" Shinou inclined his head curiously.

"I, yes I suppose that is best." Celi's nerves were nearly shot trying to figure out what the confusing man was trying to hint at.

"So glad we understand each other. You know you have quite the family," he smirked again at the panic in Celi's eyes, "That Voltaire is quite the military man, it's been quite some time since I've seen one with such an eye for strategy. And Weller that one fights as though his sword is an extension of his arm. As for Bielefeld, he's quite the heart breaker just like his pretty mother."

"Shinou," Celi hissed, "My sons aside why are you here?"

"Oh, so direct, I enjoy it. Unfortunately I can't simply set your boys aside, you see they are very important to Shin Makoku's future." Blood pounded through Celi's head till she felt mildly faint but Shinou ignored her and continued speaking, "So you see I've got a keen interest in their survival. And my….sources," a dark tone entered his voice, "have informed me that certain things are turning in ways that go against my interests." Seeming to finally notice Celi's off behavior he spoke more plainly, "One of your sons is set to die much earlier than expected. Wolfram to be exact."

"No," Celi shook her head frantically, "No that can't be true! You're lying!"

"Calm down my dear, I'm not lying but I do have a bit of a plan. I'm not so cruel as to come to you with this news and not be prepared to change things. You see I've already found the Maou who will replace you; he will be powerful like nothing this land has seen in centuries. And if your precious little boy shares his marital bed and all that comes with it then he'll live as long as he is meant to. When your successor appears you must insure a proposal is issued to the young Bielefeld."

"How is marrying some stranger going to keep my Wolfie alive, why is he in danger anyway?"

"I don't think you are ready to hear the details, the situation would seem far too hopeless. It's better you concentrate on how to help your boy ensnare my soon to be Maou. Luckily the prince has a face charming enough to instill lust in the most innocent of men and women alike, perhaps all he'll need is a little more incentive?"

"Shinou I don't understand! Tell me what to do!" Celi pleaded.

"You will figure it out as the time draws near, but for now my time seems to be evaporating in the wind. Good night sweet Cecilie. Oh," Shinou paused as if he had forgotten something, "It's really best that we keep this between the two of us, I would hate to see well intentioned bystanders cause the end we both hope to avoid." And with those parting words Shinou's form blurred and dispersed into the air leaving Celi staring at the place he last stood. For a moment she wondered if she'd simply dozed off or hallucinated Shinou but the red cloak still draped over the table proved otherwise. Clutching the heavy fabric she stormed out of the ballroom heading for the library, determined to find some shred of information on how to convince, connive, or out right trick this unknown future Maou into marrying her baby boy.

*****

As Celi finished her story she looked around the same room she'd spent days in researching and eventually found a perfume maker's notes on emotional effects of certain plant fragrances. The others were struck silent for a moment; each coming to terms with Celi's scheming.

"You know," Celi spoke as though not entirely there, "It was sheer luck that Yuri Heika struck my Wolfie as he did."

'Yea luck,' Yuri heard rattle around in his head sarcastically even though the Maou couldn't think well enough to form words on his own. Celi's story left him with so many questions.

"But how is he going to… die and why would marrying Heika change that," Gunter voiced the question that was on all their minds while sneaking worried glances at his lover.

"I told you I don't know! Don't you think I'd have tried to change things more if I'd known!?" Celi's anger returned.

"I…," Yuri spoke uncertainly as all eyes turned towards him, "I… well um…"

'Oh for fuck's sake tell them, its better they think we've gone off the deep end than our Wolf die from simple lack of information.' Yuri steeled himself with the words from his other self, conveniently ignoring the 'our Wolf' comment.

"I think he's been siphoning off my energy," Yuri turned a near desperate look towards Gunter, "remember you told me that Mazoku share energy even while they are engaged. Now that we aren't… um… engaged any more I've got so much more energy but it's like none of it is under control. And … ah … this is gonna sound really crazy but um I am… ah… I can… well hear my other self in my head," Yuri finished the last bit with little to no pausing between words.

"…Heika is hearing voices?" Gunter spoke horrified and unable to keep the question to himself.

"Just one. You know how I never remember anything when I.." Yuri's words trailed off and he made a few wiggly hand motions, "You know. But now it's like the part of me that was conscious for that is now awake and well bitching at me for ending the engagement."

"… Heika with all due respect we don't have time to deal with your guilty manifestations. Wolfram is in grave danger and," Gwendal was cut off as Gunter squawked strangely.

"Shit," any attention that hadn't been drawn by the awkward sound snapped to Gunter as he issued the rare curse word, "Ah voices aside, Yuri Heika's theory may have some merit. I ah…" Gunter trailed off hesitantly and glanced nervously at his lover, "I witnessed the young Bielefeld have a bit of a weak spell shortly after the incident in his study. If he'd been using Heika's energy to survive and was suddenly deprived of it …" Gunter stopped unable to stand the glare he was receiving from the eyes that normally held love.

"But why would Wolfie even need Heika's energy, he's always had more than most," Celi pitched in.

"Maybe he's sick?" Yuri's voice wavered slightly.

"Surely he'd have told someone if something like that was wrong," Gunter spoke.

"No, no he wouldn't as much as he likes to complain he keeps his deepest fears to himself," Gwendal grumbled.

"Gisela!" Yuri piped up suddenly.

"What? Where?" Gunter asked while looking around to see if his daughter had entered the room.

"No she's not here but she's been acting strange ever since… you know. At first I just thought she was pissed off at me, but it's like she's been trying to draw me into conversation especially when it comes to Wolfram."

"They have been friends for years," Celi mused aloud, "And with her medical knowledge he might have gone to her if he started feeling sick. But why wouldn't she have told us about it?"

"I think we aught to ask her," when Yuri spoke the others were startled by the steel in his voice but followed him out of the room and towards the infirmary.

The clatter of hurried feet attracted the attention of the maids and guards alike but none of those looking for Gisela were bothered by it. By the time they reached the infirmary each was wound up tightly for their own reasons.

The commotion the caused did not go unnoticed by Gisela, the heavy thuds of Gwendal's boots and the echoing click clack of Celi's heels were hard to miss. She opened the door before anyone could knock fully prepared to violently chastise them for making such a racket near the resting place of the injured princess. The dour looks on their faces made her breath catch in her throat.

"Gisela do you know what's wrong with Wolfram?" Yuri stared at her, his face caught between pleading innocence and harsh demanding.

"Oh thank Shinou," tears welled up in the healer's eyes as she seemed to shrink in on herself. Her legs trembled and she had to grab a hold of the door frame to stay up right.

"Gisela!" Gunter cried worriedly.

"What's wrong," Celi's voiced wavered torn between concern for the woman who looked ready to faint and the strong desire to wring information out of her.

Gwendal simply stared at the scene, surprised enough by Gisela's reaction to have lost the slow anger that had been brewing in him. But despite all the people moving around her, Gisela's attention remained trained on Yuri as she spoke.

"Mausetot, he's been poisoned with Mausetot."

*****

AN: So finally Gisela gets to spill the beans…*sings* Where is Wolfram? Where is Wolfram? *cackles manically* Okay two things, this Shinou is still effected by Soushu
so he may seem, a bit more evil than normal. Also this update is a bit later than I wanted it to be due to a house flood don't you love flashfloods after droughts.