Walking Delusions

a/n: People are still reading! I'm very glad to see this! Special thanks to MistressSubmission for her review! It really uplifted my spirits. And don't worry, hon, you're not odd at all! I find Anne's and Ixion's convo's very amusing and I'm the writer, lol!

Enjoy! This one's rather steamy!

Chapter Eighteen: A Traitorous Tryst

Filthy transgressions stain the ground,
Ranting and raving to the pillage.
Eyes that watched with green glint,
A chance taken to be free,
Lost in white-hot symphony.
Where all was created for naught,
Playing games the gods have taught,
Everything my touch to bear,
A broken heart laments.

We stood stunned, faces drawn and pale, staring with horror at the destruction before our eyes. Even Ivory found her lips drawn tight with barely restrained fury, disgust painted into her features as her fingers gripped tighter to her axe. I couldn't read the emotion on Vincent and Melath's face but I knew it echoed the rest of us. Ryou's lips were already moving in a silent prayer, especially when the wind kicked up and brought to us the scent of ash and death.

Leaving Yesa in the early morning and heading out into the plains, we had walked for the entire day. Hunger and fatigue eventually settled in, but Melath knew that there was a town within walking distance where we could eat and rest without having to do so out in the open ground. I, especially, looked forward to this, not wanting to return to tossing and turning on the cold, hard ground.

No one expected to see the small hunting village, little more than a collection of fifty or so thatched buildings, laid to ruin. It was so similar to the Anuran city that had been Maya's home that I found my breath catching in my throat, stomach rolling unpleasantly.

Covering my nose with the sleeve of my robes, I trailed along behind the others as we picked our way into the hamlet. Smoke rose up in dying billows from the homes which had been set aflame. I tried not to look at the blackened, charred bodies lying in the dirt streets. It appeared that none had been spared, not even the children.

Tears prickled in the back of my eyes, slipping silently down my cheeks. Whether from real despair or from the acrid smoke, I honestly couldn't be sure. Ryou's hand briefly squeezed my shoulder before he set off, looking for survivors, leaving me to fend for myself. I was no longer hungry, I could tell you that much.

I walked alone through the remains of the village, my own eyes searching for anyone that might need help. I caught sight of Ivory a little ways off, poking through flattened homes and likely looking for valuables. Melath and Vincent had disappeared but I doubted they were doing much more than investigating.

I couldn't quite avoid the nausea that unsettled my stomach, however. The distinct odor of flame and death was thick in the area, filtering through to my nostrils despite my best attempts to breathe through the fabric of my shirt. Blood splattered the ground in huge piles, already rotting in the late afternoon sun. What few bodies I could see gave evidence to bite marks and vicious slashes, some beyond what was necessary to kill.

The sheer viciousness of the attack left me both afraid and sickened. I couldn't tell if the burning in my eyes was due to the smoke reddening them, or that I had suddenly grown a heart and conscience somewhere. The compassion I thought I had long lost was trying to reform itself.

“Melath! Vincent!”

Ryou's voice caused my head to snap upwards. I whipped my gaze around to locate the former monk and found him a few buildings over. I quickly made my way to his side even though he hadn't called for me. I was curious.

When I arrived, I was ahead of the two men, and I laid eyes on what Ryou had found. Two living humans, a man and woman, both barely alive and on their last limbs. The man seemed sightless, milky orbs staring at the sky as he gasped with a shuddering, bloody breath. The woman's clothes were ripped and multiple stab wounds were centered around her torso. It was a miracle she still lived.

Her bloodied fingers were wrapped around the sleeve of Ryou's robes, her eyes rolled towards his. “The Hruby,” she was gasping with great difficulty. “They...” she broke off into a coughing fit, her gaze full of despair. “I'm dying.”

Ryou's eyes were full of sympathy, the fingers of one hand pressed uselessly to the worst of her wounds. “The Hruby?” he repeated, tone darkening. “For what purpose?”

“None,” the man rasped weakly, fingers twitching horrifically. “None but... blood.”

I stared in horror as the conversation unfolded, barely registering when Vincent and Melath appeared beside me. These two were barely clinging to their lives, their clansmen lying dead and bloodied all around them. The wind changed directions, sending a fresh flurry of smoke and decay in our direction. It made my stomach churn and I took an unconscious step backwards.

“What is it?” Melath demanded, his face a calm mask.

I envied him for that composure. Inside, I only wanted to run away as far as I was able. Whatever had done this, I did not want to meet. Not even with an army at my back. It was beyond inhumane. Whatever had done this to these people was nothing less than demonic, nothing less than beastly.

“This was not a planned attack by any army,” Ryou answered the elfin man, still staunchly determined to save the lives of the survivors. “But a concentrated raid from an Hruby scouting group.”

I gaped. Scouting implied less than a dozen. “You mean to tell me that it only took eight or nine of these Hruby to destroy this village?” I demanded, my face paling in complete shock.

Ryou nodded stiffly. “They are savages.”

I felt sick, hand coming to cover my mouth as I turned away. This was not good. We had to get out of here before these Hruby decided to turn their interest onto us. My legs weakened beneath me and dizziness accosted my vision. No way. There was no way we could combat these tribesman. And for a lark?

Impossible.

I barely noticed as they continued the conversation without me, or when the man finally gave up his tenuous grasp on life. My mind was swirling, entirely focused on concern for my own survival. I couldn't stop staring at the blood, at the blackened and charred bodies. It was as if I was transfixed by the destruction.

In the back of my mind, I could hear Ixion laughing as if he found it all very amusing. The loss of life was only feeding his bemusement. My nausea increased and I forced my eyes to close, ordering him to shut up internally.

To be expected, he did not obey, only laughed all the harder and began to mock me. I have done much, much worse, Little Anne. He sneered. These Hruby are simply children, amusing themselves with the sight of carnage when they could truly be enjoying it. The sudden picture of him licking his lips pierced my brain.

I gagged. 'Shut up, you bastard,' I growled inwardly, clutching my rolling stomach with one hand as he tried to send me images of his past deeds.

“Che.” Ivory's voice stirred me from my mind, her tone filled with disgust. “This hamlet was nothing but poverty-stricken. I couldn't even find a decent meal,” she commented, idly brushing off her shoulder as if trying to wipe off the stench of the place.

It angered me without my full understanding of why. “How dare you?” I demanded through clenched teeth. “What gives you the right to dismiss them?”

I didn't know where these words were coming from, but a part of myself equated these villager's fate to my own. I was helpless as well. I feared and I had nothing to my name. Did that mean I deserved to be slain horrifically, to watch my children burn and my home flattened?

She cocked an eyebrow towards me. “The princess has a tongue.” Ivory sneered. “Leave your opinions to your own, girl. I could care less.”

My hands curled into fists, fully aware that we were being watched by the others. I didn't dare look at them however. I didn't want to see Vincent's contempt, Ryou's surprise, or Melath's intrigued yet indecisive stares.

“It's not right,” I argued angrily. “You can't just--”

“What? Steal from them?” she interrupted with a hint of amusement. “Why not? They don't need it anymore, do they?” Ivory added, a short laugh tumbling from her lips.

I saw red, crimson dripping through my vision and colored oddly like blood. Before I knew what I was doing, I was diving towards Ivory, hands outstretched as if to wrap around her throat. I didn't get very far before a hand grabbed the back of my robes and drew me to a halt.

To my mortification, Ivory hadn't even flinched. Meanwhile, I was panting like a raving beast. I barely noticed the tightening of my robes around my neck from the grip that was on my clothes. I could see Melath and Ryou, the latter giving me a surprised look as he withdrew his hands from closing the eyes of the now dead woman. It had to be Vincent behind me.

I turned a full glare on him, and viciously yanked my robes from his grasp. “Don't touch me,” I snapped, nearly stumbling as he abruptly released in the same moment I pulled, giving me more momentum than I needed. The bastard.

I didn't bother to stick around and hear any reprimands. The smell of death and burning was getting to me. I stalked away, leaving them to their useless attempts at saving lives, and their pilfering of dead people's possessions. All I could think was that if I died, I wouldn't want someone poking through everything important to me and picking it apart. I wouldn't want to see my life categorized, evaluated, and deemed worthy or not. It seemed... callous.

I didn't stop until I was outside the village, against the wind so that nothing but fresh air was whirling my way. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to stop the clenching of my belly. I knew was hungry but again, the prospect of food was unappealing.

I couldn't force the images out of my mind no matter how hard I tried. Nor could I understand why I had gotten angry so quickly, or why I attempted to resort to physical violence. Perhaps it was Ixion's influence. Perhaps I had been in this world, this dream, for too long. I couldn't be sure of anything at this point.

It took several long minutes before I was able to calm the rage and irritation, unfurling my fingers from their clenched fists. Taking a deep breath, I tried to clear my mind by scanning the landscape around me.

A short distance away, I could see the beginnings of a thin forest, towards the direction we were planning to head. It looked thin, barely a forest to be honest, but something sparkled between the leafy branches. A small stream or river perhaps. It inspired thoughts of bathing in my head.

I felt so dirty, and not just because of travel grit. Walking through the village, I knew that my robes now smelled of ash and death. I wanted it away from me, far from my sensitive senses. Yet, I didn't want to venture into that forest on my own. I didn't have good luck with forests, it seemed. From the Visnay to the screechers... there was no way I was stepping foot alone.

I stayed put, taking deep breaths of the fresh wind and letting it ruffle my cloak. My thoughts ran in a thousand scattered directions but luckily, Ixion had gone noticeably silent. He was a damn parasite; I didn't miss his voice.

Strangely enough, it wasn't Ryou who came after me.

“I think you labor under a misconception.”

I didn't turn around, recognizing the voice. “Is that so?” I demanded with some impatience. “Then enlighten me.”

“We have never claimed to be heroes or even on the right side of the law,” Melath clarified, stepping up beside me. “If you believed we were decent people simply because we saved your life than you are sorely mistaken.”

I cut my eyes his direction, just as quickly looking away. He was too damn pretty for his own good. “I'm not talking about good or bad,” I responded. “I'm talking about respect for the damn dead. Their bodies have hardly cooled and she's putting her grubby fingers on their belongings, their precious things.”

He shot me a look of disbelief. “Since when you have cared?”

“Since now,” I snapped, feeling my aggravation rise. “I'm no saint myself but damn, she couldn't have waited twenty-four hours?”

“And that would change what?”

I blinked, furrowing my brow. “What do you mean?”

His stare was even, blue eyes penetrating. “Would they be any less dead tomorrow? Would their belongings magically lose or gain value overnight? Will they care anymore tomorrow than today?”

Twisting my jaw, I was left with nothing to say in return. I knew he was right but I couldn't explain why it bothered me so much. It just did. I chewed on my bottom lip for a moment before cursing under my breath, staring determined at the forest.

“That doesn't make it right,” I muttered bitterly. “Even if it doesn't matter.”

I noticed his lips twitch from the corner of my eyes, likely trying not to laugh at my idiocy. “Right and wrong have no place in our lives. You'd do well to learn that.”

It was pathetically easy to bite back my reply. I had nothing that was particularly stunning, inventive, or ingenious to return. So I kept my silence. It proved to be a good thing. A few seconds later, we were joined by the others. Ivory kept her distance, but I doubted it was out of fear. Vincent appeared at Melath's side, and something told me it wasn't entirely by choice. I felt Ryou's presence at my right before I saw him. It was odd how easily I was beginning to recognize him.

“We'll camp in the forest,” Melath announced when he was given everyone's full attention. “Then we'll leave at first light.”

Not for the first time I wondered why he was leader. It wasn't that the position didn't suit him, but that both Ivory and Vincent were strong-willed. They didn't seem the type to listen to another. Ryou, bless his heart, was a follower through and through. The others, not so much.

There was no argument. For once.

I followed the others at a sedate pace, keeping behind them without a need for conversation. Ryou didn't leave my side, not that I expected him to. He didn't seem to be affected by my refusal of him yesterday but then again, he could have been hiding it. Of course, that could just be my sense of pride talking. For all I knew, it rolled off his back like water on a duck.

He chattered like nothing had changed; I barely listened. The occasional 'uh-huh' and 'interesting' kept the conversation going without me really having to pay attention. He seemed satisfied. If he noticed my disinterest, he didn't show it.

We entered the forest just as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the land in shadows and the sky in early stars. Ryou set to preparing dinner, I made myself useless by gathering firewood. Conversation was kept to a minimum and for that I was grateful. I wouldn't say that the aura was tense, just silent.

Ivory sharpened and polished her axe with the usual determination and enthusiasm. Vincent disappeared for an unknown time and Melath frowned over a map he had pulled from nowhere. I wanted to look at it, but I didn't want to face the 'wrath of Vincent' if he caught me too close to his lover/boyfriend/owner, whatever the fuck Melath was to him. Yeah, I wasn't too afraid to admit that Vincent scared the shit out of me.

Dinner was plain. A small, hard loaf of bread that only softened when I dipped it into the stew of boiled potatoes and meat. Standard fare for travel, I supposed. Though the stew was a bit more flavorful than usual. Ryou had scrounged up some herbs from nearby and added them to the broth. Tasty. At the very least, there was fresh water to drink. I had been right in guessing that this forest hid a small stream.

Thoughts of bathing haunted my mind.

Therefore, once Melath set to watch, Vincent disappeared again, and Ivory passed out asleep, her snores rattling the camp, I bravely ventured into the forest. It had taken much convincing for Ryou to be sure that I wouldn't mind not having his company and encourage him to sleep. I waited until he was good and unconscious before leaving. Protective like a mother hen, that Ryou. He would have made a great father.

The stream was located just out of sight from the camp. If I peered through the leaves, I could make out the glow of the fire. Which meant if I screamed loud enough, someone would come. And by someone, I meant Ryou. I didn't think anyone else would bother. In any case, the stream wasn't very large. At it's deepest it probably reached my waist, but it was suitable for my purposes.

Casting a somewhat nervous glance around me, I stripped down and dove into the water. Well, I waded in with cautious footsteps since I didn't actually know how to swim. The stream bed was very rocky, smooth pebbles lining the bottom, interspersed with grains of rough sand. The water itself was cold, causing me to shiver, but I endured it. Cleanliness seemed more important.

I kept my ears cocked for the slightest hint of danger as I slowly cleaned off travel dirt and grime. I even took pains to rinse out my hair, though I knew it would only dry into unmanageable, unattractive knots if I slept on it wrongly. Despite my situation, I was gradually becoming at ease in the water.

That ease quickly shattered.

Humming softly under my breath, I had shifted position, only to catch sight of Melath standing on the embankment. I hadn't even heard him approach. I gaped, embarrassment flaming my cheeks as he slowly and steadily began to undress, clothes dropping to the ground in unordered piles.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, casting an anxious look around me. I was looking for Vincent, certain he would pop out of the darkness to slash off one of my arms or something far more gruesome.

The look he gave me wasn't hard to define. “Is it that difficult to believe that I might wish to be clean as well?” he asked as he waded into the water, heading towards me.

I narrowed my eyes. “Bullshit. You're supposed to be on watch.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “There is nothing in this forest that will harm us.”

Nothing but the people who destroyed that village. “And the Hruby?”

“They will not attack us.”

I didn't believe him for a second. I turned around, facing away from him, disconcerted by his sudden appearance. It was impossible to view his nudity without wanting him. I could already feel his body pressed against mine. I wanted it again, so badly. I felt myself tighten in anticipation, though I had vowed I wouldn't put myself in danger like that again. Vincent was not to be taken lightly.

“What makes you so certain?” I asked, praying to some God that my voice didn't come out as shaky as I thought it did.

“I think that between the two of us, I am the more experienced when it comes to these matters.”

It was pathetically easy to see that the conversation was no longer about simple danger. Considering he spent most of his days fucking Vincent, I begged to differ.

I heard water swish and chanced a glance over my shoulder. He was closer than I expected and he had loosened his hair, the ends of it trailing the water. While the water came to my waist, it was mid-thigh for him. I could see every inch of his manhood, already lifting under my perusal. Unconsciously, I liked my lips before whipping my head safely back around.

I cleared my throat. “I think I'm clean enough,” I announced, firmly reminding myself to resist temptation. I had every intention to get out of the water and flee to the campsite.

Except, he was suddenly there, his fingers wrapped around my wrist and his body much closer than it had been before. I could hear his breathing, every subtle inhalation, he was that close. I felt exposed in my nakedness, though it was nothing he hadn't seen before, and had to fight the urge to cover myself.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, ignoring the jump in my heart.

“I have a desire,” he said simply, one finger stroking my wrist over my rapid pulse.

I refused to turn and look at him, despite feeling the fingers of his other hand lightly stroke across my skin. They trailed down the back of my shoulder, across the small of my back and dipped down my spine. In their wake, I shivered, mind recalling other instances of his hands on me.

“A desire,” I repeated, brain gone stupid with his proximity.

Dammit, why did he have to be so hot, so delicious? I remembered our last conversation. He had said he wanted me. Again. It seemed impossible but the words had been spoken. And by the gods, I wanted him, too.

“Yes.” I swore to god he purred and I nearly melted, no longer resisting his pull. Melath stepped nearer, causing the water to swirl around me, rippling on the both of us.

“And Vincent?” I asked, turning to face him.

I should not have done so. The sight of him so near was enough to kill any resistance I might have had. By everything inside of me, I wanted this man. My breath caught in my throat and I swallowed thickly. I wanted to taste, to run my tongue over his skin.

Something flickered in blue eyes. “What about him?” Melath murmured and then dragged me towards him in a sharp movement.

Our lips met and I gasped into his mouth, quickly returning the heat. His arm curled around my waist, pulling my body against his. I felt his arousal poke my belly, beading fluid at the tip. All I could think was how much I wanted him again.

His tongue was hot and insistent, his mouth tasting like sweet ambrosia. I fell easily under his spell, hands weaving around him. My own arousal grew stronger, dampening the space between my thighs. Want and desire grew prevalent, overriding all other needs.

Melath broke off the kiss, his fingers tightening on me. The both of us were breathing heavily; I didn't want to let go. I chased after his fleeing lips with my own, only to freeze in shock.

I saw him. Golden eyes had been watching us from bank side, a strange expression on his face. Jealousy. Anger. Fear. Shame. So many emotions that flew by so quickly. I gasped before I could stop myself, the urge to pull away from Melath racing through me.

Melath followed my gaze with a near boredom, catching sight of Vincent simply standing there. His grasp on me loosened, or at least one of his hands did. The other remained curled around my waist.

I watched as he gestured with his free hand. “Come.”

Blinking in shock, my mouth gaped. “What the hell?” I hissed, trying to pull away to no avail. Melath was much stronger than I.

To my increased astonishment, Vincent watched for a long moment before beginning to strip. I tried not to look but he was just as god damned beautiful as Melath. As pale as Melath was tanned, as toned as Melath was lithe and those tattoos, I could have eaten them. I wanted to trace them with my tongue, leave little bite marks in the clean flesh around them. The voracity of my sudden hunger surprised me.

I hated this man. He had insulted me, touched me without permission, and given me his own hatred. I didn't want him anywhere near me, despite his attractiveness. I didn't know if he was obeying because Melath gave the order or if this was also something that had been on his mind. The thought of grade school children and their flirting came to mind. Either way, however, I wasn't going to take part. In fact, I planned on escaping as soon as possible.

It was then that Melath turned towards me, dizzying my thoughts with the desire in his eyes. He, too, had been watching Vincent strip. “I know that you have been watching us, Anne,” he said, his fingers around my wrist stroking over my pulse-point. “The prospect of you joining us has always intrigued me.”

My heart skipped a beat but nevertheless, I eyed Vincent warily. “I don't think he agrees with you,” I countered, remembering full well the hatred the other man had always displayed.

“And I am certain no one knows what he needs more than I,” Melath murmured.

I flickered my gaze back to him and that was when he kissed me, wiping my mind clean. All I wanted was more of him. I didn't notice when Vincent entered the water or when he waded his way to our side. In fact, I barely felt the water ripple around us, I was so lost to Melath. I drowned in his touch and his taste, the deft press of his tongue against mine. It was as if he were a drug that I so desperately needed to survive.

I broke away from him with a gasp, heart pounding so strongly that my breath shortened. I was left dazed and desire-drunk. Vincent was simply standing there, watching the two of us. I felt unnerved under his golden stare and had thoughts to break away from Melath, but my body didn't want to leave his lingering warmth. I couldn't even describe the look in Vincent's eyes. As much as I thought I might have seen anger, there was obviously something else.

“Vincent,” Melath murmured in that sex-filled, husky tone that always made me quiver. He gripped my arms with unnatural strength and turned me to face Vincent. “Kiss her.”

As wonderful as that sounded, I would have to pass. I was sure Vincent tasted just as delicious as Melath. However, I didn't want to find out.

My eyes widened and I shook my head, trying to back away. “I don't think so,” I stated firmly. But Melath's grip on me was unbreakable. I couldn't budge.

Even though I couldn't see him behind me, Vincent's eyes were locked on Melath. Something passed between them that I could not see. It was as if my protests were unheard, as though they didn't care what I wanted. Though I was aroused and hungry for something, I also knew that something strange was going on. Yet, for some reason, I didn't seem to care nor put up much of a fight. My body was too languid, too on fire, to think of anything beyond fulfilling my needs. I wanted, I needed to be touched, I craved release with a voracity that surprised me.

I saw Vincent. Like Melath, he was much taller. The water graced his body mid-hip, leaving his arousal and scrotum just above the surface, kissing the furred sacks. He was thicker than Melath, even unaroused I could tell that much. A shower then. Despite my reservations, my eyes hungrily took in every inch of his body.

And then he was in front of me, barely a foot away, his movements hesitant. There was a war in his expression, as if he was restraining himself while at the same time trying to convince himself.

Melath spoke. “Vincent...”

I couldn't tell if it was an order or a suggestion, but it was enough to spur him into actions. Ignoring my subtle backpedaling, he pressed nearer, gripping my chin with his hand. I felt spell bound by his eyes. He hated me, I knew. But here he was, bringing his lips closer.

His lids fluttered shut as his mouth pressed against mine. I braced myself for something violent and harsh like before. I was surprised when the first kiss was a tentative, almost delicate brush. I felt his breath against my lips. He retracted a short space as if steeling himself before diving back in, more firmly this time. Vincent massaged his lips against mine, and then I felt his tongue touch the seam between my lips.

I could smell him, right in front of me, that same smoky and exotic flavor I had memorized from the borrowed blanket. It made me hungry, passioned and unrestrained. I opened my mouth and our tongues met, tentatively at first and then needy. Suddenly, I couldn't get enough.

A sound gurgled in my throat, a desperate cry, and I pulled forward. One hand slid around Vincent's waist, clutching at the base of his spine. The other snaked around his neck, dragging him closer.

Our bodies came together and sparks flew. A wash of heat spread through me and I moaned thickly, pressing every inch of his flesh against mine. I belatedly realized that Melath's hands were no longer on me. All I knew was this pressing need to join with Vincent, to feel his skin on mine and to feel his touch. I dove into his mouth, tongues dueling and submitting. I nipped at his lips and my fingers clutched at his skin. The water lapped between us but it was no longer cold. Instead, it is was hotter and hotter. That coiling began in my belly, a nuisance that I had to rid myself of.

Vincent was responding, but it was almost as if he was holding back. He was passionate, but it felt as if some of it was missing. And then, he melted against me, a moan escaping his mouth and invading mine. I felt the water ripple in a different motion than before.

My eyelids fluttered and I caught a glimpse of Melath behind Vincent, lips on the man's neck and hands running down his sides. It was so incredibly hot to watch. It was as if Melath's hands were on me, as much as the sight aroused me. I groaned, hips rocking restlessly against Vincent's, seeking an answer.

I received one as he gradually came to life against my hip. The craving to feel him moving within me grew stronger, wanting to feel his size nudging every inch of my insides until I fell apart in his arms. His hand left my face and his touch finally landed on my body. His chest was warm against mine, my nipples hardening in response. Vincent's fingers brushed briefly over them before his palms landed against my sides. Calloused skin traveled downwards, over the curve of my hip, until he was cupping me right at the juncture of hip and thigh, palming my ass.

His kiss became more insistent. We were eating at each other's mouth, sloppily devouring and memorizing taste. I heard murmuring and realized that Melath was whispering into Vincent's ear, but I could not discern the words. Whatever he was saying excited Vincent however and his movements become more hungry and hurried.

He yanked me upwards by his grip on my ass and I got the hint, wrapping my legs around his waist. He easily supported my weight, fingers pressing into my skin. I could feel the muscles in his body shifting beneath my touch as I slid both arms around his neck.

The head of his arousal nudged at my slick center, the water sliding off into the stream even as my ass brushed the surface. I locked my ankles, toes brushing against Melath's body and pushed myself towards Vincent. His fingers tightened in their hold and suddenly, he was pushing himself into me, inch by glorious, painful inch.

I gasped and tossed my head, back arching as I was penetrated. He felt so damn good and yet it hurt at the same time. My nails dug furrows into his skin, drawing blood. Vincent thrust into me, burrowing deeply until I was filled to capacity.

And then I lost myself in the passion, each sharp forward thrust of his hips, each time I rocked my own down to meet him. I whimpered and whined, that explosion steadily building within my body. I caught glimpses of Melath touching Vincent, of his lips on Vincent's neck and throat. I even caught them kissing once.

I had never felt this lost in sex before, this consumed by need. It burned its way through my body, igniting fires and making my nerves come alive. Time lost its meaning. There was only the feel of his skin under mine, the slosh of the cool water, the thrusts of his body.

When I climaxed, it was soundless, my entire body shuddering around him. I dimly registered that he came with me. I don't know if Melath did or not or if he even enjoyed it. I fell into darkness at the end of my peak, body going slack in Vincent's grasp without knowing what happened next. I floated in a misty fog, mixing reality and dreams.

“Thank you...”

A slosh of water. The sense of being carried. The flash of air over bare skin still damp from the stream. The heady scent of fresh greenery, the wind against my flesh.

“It didn't work.”

There was defeat in the tone. Despair. Fear. Sorrow.

“The mark is darker.”

“The curse remains.”

I felt the heat of a desert against my face, countered briefly with the chill of the Arctic, and then nothing. The air was still, so very still and silent. I was standing on solid ground, staring at blank, dry earth. It was familiar.

The mountains once in the distance were even smaller than before. They were being worn away, bit by bit, despite there being no wind. Soon, they would no longer be and everything would remain flat. It was a sobering, grievous thought.

The sky was grey and empty, the earth devoid of color. Nothing grew. It was as if everything lay dead, not even the soil capable of supporting life. Nothing remained. Nothing but emptiness.

“The curse remains.”

I whirled around at the sound of the voice, seeing the same cloaked figure as before. Again, I could see a glimpse of his mouth, tanned and lips firm. He was bathed in darkness, entire body shrouded in the black cloth.

“Curse?” I repeated, my memory recalling that he named himself Nename.

He didn't respond, moving closer to me in a circular manner, robes sweeping over the dry earth and dust clinging to the dark fabric. “Your own creation and it lies in ruins. Do you feel nothing?”

I blinked, utterly confused. “What on Earth are you talking about?”

“Not Earth. But Tears.” His voice was filled with sorrow and he cocked his head to the side, kneeling to brush fingers over the dry soil. “This land. Your land. Your world. Don't you even know your own dreams?”

“My own dreams...?” I repeated, feeling like I was grasping for straws. “But I've never heard of Tears before...” I trailed off, the realization hitting me like a bullet. I had never felt so stupid in my entire life.

This place, these people, this world... I did know it. I knew it all. Just like I had suspected before. This was the same world I had painstakingly created, bit by bit. I hadn't recognized it at first because many of the names had changed slightly and I had only ever thought of it in terms of anime and not real life. But this world, Tears, was mine.

I backpedaled, though Nename really didn't present a threat. “What... what does this man?” I demanded.

He looked up at me, the hood somehow managing to stay in place. “This is your world. And everything in it. It is governed by you-- your thoughts, your desires.”

I swallowed thickly, feeling a bit numb. “Then I am dreaming?”

“Does it feel like you are dreaming?” he countered as he rose to his feet, cloak resettling about him and hiding everything about his identity. I suddenly wanted to rip it away from him, reveal the truth behind the black.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, burbling insanely. “You are merely a parrot. You don't answer my questions.”

“Don't you understand?” he hissed, anger in his tone as he stepped towards me. “All this is yours. It belongs to you. Whatever you want, whatever you ask, you will have.”

“This?” I demanded, gesturing towards the nothingness surrounding us. “This is bare earth.” I was feeling slightly off balance, an insane urge to laugh wildly, to fill the void with the sound of my laughter.

I could still see his jaw twist in anger. “It wasn't always this way. Once it was Tears, thriving and hoping.” He turned his head, gazing all around us. “This is the aftermath of your fury. This is what could be.”

I had heard this before. Nevertheless, my mouth dropped. “I did this?” I whispered.

“With just one word.” He hesitated before lifting a finger, pressing it to the middle of my forehead. For some reason, it was painful, burning and searing. “With just one word, we all become yours.”

“Mine,” I repeated, completely stunned. “Tears is... mine?”

My words echoed in empty space. Somehow, Nename had vanished. There was a swirl, a sense of being pulled in many directions and then there was light peeking through the darkness. It was dawn.

I woke up slowly, coming to clarity with much hesitation. I first registered the dim of a morning just before dawn, my nose picking up the scent of a fire long burnt out. I blinked and sat up, blanket falling down.

Then last night crashed over me and I remembered what happened. I immediately glanced over myself, but I was fully dressed. My hair was still damp and in horrid tangles like I suspected. Someone had dressed me and put me to sleep. Some of it was rather hazy and my mouth felt dry, as if I hadn't drank in days.

I located my waterskin and drank heartily, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and glanced around the campsite. Ryou and Vincent were still asleep, the latter wrapped in a blanket and propped against a tree. Melath was awake, attempting to stoke the fire into some semblance of life for breakfast. The crackle of twigs alerted me to Ivory's arrival as she appeared out of the forest. All seemed normal.

Yawning, I dragged my ass out of bed and stumbled back towards the stream, splashing water on my face to wake up. I felt incredibly weary, my muscles sore as if my sleep had been useless. I kept getting flashes of the night before. I couldn't believe I had been so slutty. Fucking Vincent while Melath was there, watching. Fucking a man I despised.

Where had all my restraint gone? I might as well have been drunk or high for all the protest I put up. Never would I have believed that I would enjoy kissing Vincent. He was attractive enough but his personality only pissed me off. I couldn't understand it.

And the dream! Finally, questions had been answered but they made little sense. Tears was mine? I could control it how I wished? Then why couldn't I wish myself home? I had certainly been wanting it enough. Why couldn't I wish myself skilled or rich or somewhere safe? And did that mean I was in a dream?

I wasn't sure of anything. Nename had been vague as always, his identity still eluding me. Yet, I felt as if I should know him, as if he was someone familiar to me. His voice, the very timbre of his voice and the shape of his body was so familiar. But I couldn't place it or put a name to it. It was baffling.

By the time I felt alive enough to take on the others and stumbled back to camp, Ryou and Vincent had woken. To my surprise, Vincent was concocting something for breakfast which I was hesitant about eating. It later proved to be somewhat suitable.

Everything seemed fine. Vincent didn't give me another look; Melath had his quiet calm. Ivory gobbled her food and avoided conversation. Ryou was unusually quiet but seemed contemplative. I was too locked in my thoughts to give too much attention to it.

“We will have to watch our steps,” Melath mused aloud, the first to speak as the sun started to creep over the horizon. “The Hruby are unusually active.”

“Savages,” Ivory muttered under her breath though she didn't sound angry, but partly excited, as if she looked forward to meeting them. I wouldn't be surprised. She was rather bloodlusty.

Blue eyes flickered her direction only briefly before continuing, “If we are still heading towards Nyorai, I suggest we stick to the stream.”

“Why?” I asked in the same moment that Ivory snorted derisively. I looked at her, but she was focusing her stare on Melath, mockery in her tone.

“The better to sate your libido, is it Melath?” she taunted, her hands stilling in their compulsive obsession of sharpening her axe.

Nothing registered in Melath's face but the mortification I felt turned my cheeks bright red. I wondered how much she had seen and I was suitably embarrassed. I had been nothing but a whore last night, taking my pleasure with not one, but two men, one of which I claimed to despite.

“Was one lover not enough for you?” Ivory added maliciously.

“It is none of your business,” Melath replied icily. He was so calm, that I almost didn't catch the subtle clenching of his fingers where they sat on his knee. “It does not concern you.”

The look on Ivory's face clearly expressed her disbelief as she raked a hand through her hair. “Of course not. If you want to dirty yourself with whores, it doesn't matter to me.”

For me to call myself that was one thing. Ivory had no right. “Shut up,” I snarled, growing angry myself. “You don't know what you're talking about.”

“Don't I?” Her lips twisted into a brutal smirk, green eyes triumphant. “I'm sure the marks on your hip will tell me otherwise.” Her gaze shifted to Vincent. “Hmm, Vincent?”

He stiffened considerably, face clouding with anger. “Hold your tongue.”

Ivory snorted, not the least bit afraid. I would have been terrified by that look. “And I thought you at least had better taste.”

“That's enough!”

To my utmost surprise, it wasn't Melath who had spoken. It was Ryou. He had risen to his feet, hands clenched and face pinched with anger.

“That is enough,” he repeated viciously, looking near to violence.

I was stunned. I had never seen him quite so angry. “Ryou...”

Ivory was nearly speechless, though she found her tongue, staring back imperiously. “Why do you stand up for her?” she demanded, a strange tone to her voice. If it was anyone else, I would have labeled it hurt.

“It's not right of you to speak of Miss Anne in such a way,” he growled through clenched teeth, ever polite despite the hostility.

“What does it matter to you?” Ivory spat back, two steps from rising to her feet.

My heart was pounding in my chest at this argument. I could only watch as Ryou grew angrier, their arguing louder.

“Because I actually care for her!” he shouted, startling us all with his vehemence. The door mat persona had all but disappeared. “I have treated her kindly. I have protected her. I have cared and yet she turns to you.” He angrily jabbed a finger in Melath and Vincent's direction as shame rattled through me. I didn't even know I still had the capacity for shame. “It is beyond my understanding!”

With those final words, Ryou turned and stormed off into the surrounding forest, bushes swishing in his wake. He left everything behind, even his staff. I was left gaping in shock, swallowing down my nausea. I had hurt him terribly. He had to have witnessed what happened last night.

The part of me I thought I killed long ago, the one that never cared for consequences or shame or restraint, fought to return to life. It curdled my insides.

“Fool,” Melath stated with a shake of his head as I rose to my feet. “One man in Hruby territory is suicide.”

I was hardly listening.

“Ryou...”

I needed to go after him.

“Don't.”

Vincent was the one to stop me.

My return glare was poisonous. “Don't presume to believe you can tell me what to do.”

“He's right,” Melath inserted, face still impassive despite what had just occurred. “Give him time to cool down. He will return and then you can speak to him.”

I clenched my fists and nodded my head jerkily. What good would it do to chase after him now? Somewhat reluctantly, I sat back down. Inwardly, I was stewing, shooting Ivory annoyed and angered glares. She didn't seem to care.

“We'll wait until Ryou returns and then head for Nyorai,” Melath continued, heedless to my seething.

And that was the end of that.

Or so I thought.

*****

a/n: The plot thickens even further, leaving only five more chapters to go. Which seems so short considering all that hasn't been covered. But they are drawing closer to the end. I hope you liked and I'd love to hear any thoughts on this!