The Astral Realm

Grave stared at the boxes at the market in confusion. How was he supposed to know what the mortal's tastes were? Besides, none of the names on the boxes made sense to him. Fettuccine Alfredo. What was that supposed to be?

"Elise look who's here!" Ann cried and Grave glanced up. That was just what he needed. Two mortal women. But, Grave realized, at least he had someone that could pick out some food for Kelem.

"Who's here Ann? Oh hello. So how have you been? I've missed you," Elise said as she walked up to Grave.

"Listen could you two help me? I need to get some food for Kelem but I don't know what he likes," Grave said and Elise frowned.

"I'll be glad to help you out but why does he need food? I thought his place was pretty well stocked. Wait. Did you...stay with him last night?"

"Of course not."

"Oh good. I thought you were one of those types of guys."

"What types of guys?" Grave asked and Ann giggled.

"You mean you don't know?" she asked and Grave shook his head.

"I'm afraid my job keeps me pretty busy."

"Well that's expected but I'm willing to travel with you," Elise said and Ann looked at her.

"You'd leave me alone to travel with some guy you don't really know?" she asked and Elise shook her head.

"All those other things are minor details. I'll find everything else out in due time," she replied.

"I think it's best that you stay where you belong," Grave said then looked at Ann. "Now what does Kelem like?"

"I know what he likes. Let me find something for him," Ann said and Grave glanced at Elise, who had just placed a hand on his arm. Her skin looked paler than the last time he had seen her. Grave then stared at a box on the shelf that had moved slightly. Was the ground shaking? The box shuddered and Grave swore underneath his breath and raised his hand. The entire market grew dark as all the mortals became frozen in time. An enormous lizard broke through the market floor sending canned goods rolling every which way. Its back eyes gazed about the market as it searched for the one that sealed the area.

"Meal time isn't like it used to be, is it my pet? There must be one of those damned reapers about," a male voice said and Grave glanced around. The stranger seemed to be close by. Was he hiding somewhere? The lizard then hissed when it caught sight of Grave and Grave brought a hand to his side. A tall, aristocratic looking man with short pale lavender hair and a olive complexion appeared next to the creature. "So you're the one that disturbed my pet's meal. How impolite of you."

"You have no right to be here," Grave said and the man took a step back in shock.

"My you are quite rude, aren't you? What right do you have to tell me where I can or cannot go?"

"This is my sector. I will not allow any unathorized party to take souls."

"Your mortals are already dying so what's the difference if my pet hurries the process up?"

"Look there are laws concerning this world."

"Only because your kind is in charge. That will soon change, won't it my pet?"

The lizard made a hissing sound and the stranger patted its head.

"What are you talking about?" Grave inquired and the man grinned.

"Oh you'll find out soon enough. Our kind will be out from underneath your control soon enough and we'll be able to feast on all the souls we want."

"Not if I destroy you. I'm one of the beast reapers there is."

"I don't care. Come on my pet, let's take out this annoying little insect."

The lizard opened its mouth and hissed loudly. Grave withdrew his sword and swung it then glanced at his opponents. He hoped that they would be a challenge to him. If not then he would be extremely disappointed. The man snapped his fingers and the lizard moved swiftly towards its prey.

"Who are you anyway?" Grave asked and the man grinned.

"I suppose the least I can do since you'll be dead soon. I am known as Lereus."

"Well it's nice to get a name but I can't die."

"Perhaps not but we can make your existence pretty damned painful and who knows? Once this world belongs to our leader, perhaps he will figure out a way to destroy all of you. Go to it my pet!" 

The lizard moved swiftly towards Grave and Grave grinned dangerously. The lizard lunged at him and Grave jumped back, slipping on the cans along the way. He fell to the floor then quickly rolled out of the way when the lizard came at him. He picked himself up then glanced at Lereus, who was approaching him from the side.

"It seems that we have you cornered," Lereus said then yelped in pain when a whip wrapped around his wrist. Grave glanced hastily around as he tried to pinpoint Drake's location.

"What are you doing here?!" Grave demanded as Drake brutally wrenched Lereus' hand back. Lereus cried out in pain and the lizard ran swiftly to its master's aid.

"I was in the neighborhood," Drake said and Grave shook his head.

"I told you to take it easy," Grave said.

"I thought you might need help. Two against one isn't fair."

"Are you sure you're up to this?"

"I'm fine. I feel stronger whenever I'm near you."

Lereus wrenched himself free of Drake's whip and Drake looked mildly amused.

"I see you want to play," Drake said as he leaped up into the air just as the lizard made a killing swipe. "All right then, we'll have some fun."

He snapped his whip and Grave watched it transform into the sectioned flail with deadly edges. One of the sections scraped across the lizard's back and the beast uttered a cry of pain. Grave noted Drake's stance and realized that it was more forced than Grave was used to seeing. Something had definitely changed in Drake and Grave wondered if it had been a result their new-found relationship. He blocked Lereus' attack with his sword and Lereus grunted in frustration.

 

"And here I thought you were daydreaming," he said and Grave's eyes flashed dangerously.

"I didn't get to be the best in the business for nothing," he said then glanced at Drake. "My companion isn't anything to laugh at either."

"Well I too am not to be taken lightly. I have some...tricks that you might find amusing," Lereus said and raised his hands. Drake gasped in shock when numerous vines wrapped around his arms and legs. Grave watched a vine wrap around Drake's neck and narrowed his eyes.

"Torment rain!" Grave cried and Drake winced as hundreds of needles rained down on him and the enemy. Blood trickled down his skin as he closed his eyes and concentrated. He would not show Flame that he was weak a second time around. The vines broke and Drake lowered his head. He did not want to see the punishment room again. He raised a hand to the sky and gazed coldly at the lizard that was charging at him.

"Beast of domination!" Drake cried and his beast appeared wearing a leather harness. Grave watched the beasts movement with interest and shook his head. So this was what he liked. He must enjoy the meetings with Flame just a little bit otherwise the beast wouldn't look so scarred.

"Grave once we finish this will you let me please you?" Drake inquired as Grave swung his sword.

"Why don't we talk about that later?" Grave asked as he dodged Lereus' attack. "I kind of need my concentration."

"All right. I guess I'll have to take them out quickly so we can move on to something more interesting."

"Don't get cocky. Let's not forget who was unconscious recently. I don't exactly want to save you from stupidity."

Drake blew him a kiss then turned his attention back to his beast who had made direct contact with Lereus' pet. The lizard reeled back in pain then sharply clubbed Drake's creation. The beast screamed in pain as a new wound appeared on its body. Drake used the opportunity to snap his flail and the flail dragged across the lizard's back causing it to writhe in extreme pain.

"How dare you injure my pet like that?! That is unforgivable. You have forced me to use my final attack," Lereus said then screamed when Grave's sword pierced through his skin.

"You're finished," Grave said as he watched Lereus' body disappear. He then turned his attention to Drake, who had swung his flail again and dug it deep into the lizard's flesh. The reptile moaned in pain then disappeared into a mass of smoke. Drake dispensed with his beast then walked over to Grave and took his hand.

"Let go of me," Grave said as he pushed away. "We need to get this place back to normal."

"That's nothing. Let's have some fun while the mortals are still frozen in time," Drake said and Grave smacked his face. Drake stood stunned for a moment then smiled at Grave. "That felt good."

"Shut up. Let's take care of this mess."

"Will you let me excite you when we get back to our room?"

"Drake I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"I know you're ready for it."

"What you know and how I feel are two completely different things. Now get to work or else I won't promise you anything."

"Your kind of pain I can stand. You're not brutal like Flame."

"I think you like how he treats you," Grave said as he raised his casting hand and Drake looked at him.

"What do you mean? He doesn't do anything to arouse me," Drake said and Grave shrugged his shoulders.

"If you didn't enjoy it, you wouldn't screw me up so much."

"Well I willingly put myself on the line when I helped you out that time. You don't know how much I wanted to get my hands on your club."

"My what?" Grave asked and Drake pointed to his crotch. Grave shook his head then closed his eyes in concentration. Drake watched him for a moment then turned his attention to the condition of the market. When would Grave be willing to accept all Drake had to offer him? He was more than willing to hand Grave his whip and cower before him like a slave. He wanted to run his body over Grave's and place his mouth on Grave's...

"What's wrong with you?" Grave asked and Drake looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Drake asked as he waved a hand in the direction of a fallen canned goods display.

"Just a second ago I felt this strange aura coming from you."

"Oh. I was thinking."

"Dare I ask what about?"

"I'll tell you when we get back to our room. Hey when we get home, will I be able to live with you?"

"One problem at a time please."

"I just want to be extremely close to you."

"Later Drake."

"I'm going to be so glad to get away from all these mortals. We should go on vacation once all this is done."

"Vacation?"

"You know. It's the time mortals take off from work to relax."

"Drake we can't do that. The only reason we're all down here is because of this special assignment. We're unable to take breaks. Death among mortals is common."

"Mortals have no consideration for us."

"They don't even know we exist. Is everything back to normal?"

"I think so. I really don't know how it looked before the destruction. I wasn't here."

"That's right. You weren't. You're going to have to get out of here before I release the seal otherwise these two are going to ask some awkward questions."

Drake glanced at Ann and Elise for a moment then touched Ann's hand.

"Their decline has been accelerated," Drake commented. "I wonder if your mortal has something to do with this."

"What do you mean?" Grave asked and Drake shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe he's absorbing the mortal energy."

"So you don't think he's a mortal either?"

"He may have been a mortal to begin with but he's changed since then. I don't know how to explain it. I think he's a vessel for the enemy."

"If that's true then why isn't the enemy keeping a close watch on him?"

"Perhaps they are and we're just not aware of it. Come on, you've got to admit that things have become a lot more dangerous as of late."

"You have a point there but perhaps it's only because they realized that we're down here."

"If we have what they want then the attacks are just going to get fiercer and more frequent which means Archos might be in danger," Drake said and Grave shook his head.

"I wouldn't worry too much about her. She can stay a lot more focused than you can," he replied.

"That's not funny."

"But it's true now get out of here so I can release the seal."

"Promise me that you'll let me excite you when we get back to the apartment."

"Drake..."

"Promise me."

"All right," Grave sighed. "I promise."

Drake happily clapped his hands then kissed Grave deeply. Grave pushed him away and glared at him.

"I'm leaving," Drake said as he turned and walked out of the market. Grave watched him leave then raised his casting hand into the air yet again. Why did he tolerate Drake's actions? Why couldn't he be convincing when he pushed Drake away? Perhaps it was because of Drake's healing powers. He shrugged his shoulders as he dropped his casting hand. Right now Drake's personality was the least of his worries.