Fear of Angels

                                 Part Four

                              Tatiana Celeste
                            lintila@hotmail.com

It had taken Akio time to silence the voices that cried out to him
pleadingly. He took these to be the voices that cried out to Dios for help.
It made sense at least but to function with them always there, no wonder he
should throw himself to the swords...enough time with this and the
encompassing madness would be enough to make him want to greet the blades
with open arms. He found that indifference was the best route to blocking
the constant cries, but it didn't help when it came to the pain of his own
sister. It was easy though, having indifference towards those who he did
not know...but now he could find the fears of people if he chose, their inner
pain and suffering. This power had its advantages when properly controlled.

Anthy was very supportive though, especially considering the changes that
she went through. They grew closer knowing that no one else could
understand what they understood. Anthy could feel the pain of others also,
through the swords that whispered at her, whispered scathing words of hate
and she often sought his arms to ease the whispers, which he offered her
gladly. It took some persuasion but Akio was able to convince the dean of
students to allow Anthy to live with him again. Well, persuasion and
blackmail, it seemed this dean was quite promiscuous...and married. Tsk tsk.

He watched Anthy work math problems on the little table, Chu-Chu nibbling a
cracker. Every few minutes or so Anthy would brush the crumbs off her paper
but she continued to give the animal crackers. The creature had adapted
surprisingly well considering. But Akio assumed that he had mentally
changed just as they had. He decided that this would be good though. Anthy
had taken a liking to the creature, caring for him and making sure he was
safe. In turn Chu-Chu kept her constant company, even playing games with
her when she wanted. If only it didn't eat so much, the creature was making
meals difficult.

He sighed...perhaps things would be better now. Akio closed his eyes and
leaned against the wall. He wondered what more Anthy knew that he didn't.
What did the shadows whisper to her when she dreamed? Certainly they hadn't
told him much. Perhaps since he wasn't expected to do much but sacrifice
himself and it was the Rose Bride, Anthy, who would take him to where he
needed to go.

He looked at her again, she had an ethereal air about her now, and she had
secrets that she could choose to tell the world or not. Unfortunately the
world tended to persecute those who possessed secrets and he feared that
Anthy would be no different. He didn't worry so much about himself though;
he would handle those who sought to cross him. He was a prince, the world
was his domain and the people were his peasants, this noblemen, his
knights...his pawns...and the academy was his castle. Anthy stared listlessly
at the sheet of notebook paper, tapping the pencil lightly on the table.

"What is it Anthy?"

"I'm stuck," she said flatly.

"You're not trying," Akio replied sitting next to her.

"I'm bored."

"Oh?" he asked in an amused voice, tangling his fingers through her hair,
nuzzling her cheek.

"Onii-sama!" the pencil tapped faster on the table.

"What?" his lips brushed over her neck, "I'm bored too."

"I-it's not right, for...for..."

"Hmm?" he glanced to the side, smiling as he saw the pencil move faster,
this wasn't the first time he had flustered her. It was nice to know that
he could control her too when need be. He would be safe as long as he had
control of everything else.

"It's wrong..." she said meekly.

"Anthy, when you are as we are...beyond all other human beings...there is no
such thing as right and wrong," he said, his voice muffled by her hair,
kissing her neck.

"Onii-sama," she breathed the words, closing her eyes.

"Yes?" he asked her soothingly, running a hand down her blouse.

The pencil broke in two.

******

"What do you think you're doing?" a young voice asked from behind him, his
voice sounded hollow.

Akio refused to turn around, refused to say anything.

"You will lose our ability to revolutionize the world if you continue down
this path. You will hurt your sister even more. Don't you understand? You
must take the leap of faith...you must..."

"I must do nothing. Who are you to decide my fate?"

"Akio...don't do this...don't."

"You died, you didn't know how to do it either, so how do you know that
there isn't another way?" Akio turned around slowly though he didn't see
Dios...in the distance maybe?

"Don't do this, there is a better way," The voice sounded farther away.

"Extra Extra Extra!!" a lone shadowy figure appeared in the distance.

"I want to do this my way daddy! I know what I'm doing!" the figure sat on
a pier with a fishing reel and baseball cap.

"Now son let me show you the proper way." She continued alternating parts.

"No! I know what I'm doing!"

"Youch! I've been hooked."

"Oops sorry papa."

Akio frowned, "Fishing is hardly the same as this though."

"You will condemn yourself, if you do it like this."

"How...how do I change the rules?" He could sense Dios turning away from
him...where was he? "Tell me!" Akio demanded, his voice echoing through the
forest.

"Ask the bride...she knows the rules...of the game," the voice was heavy with
sorrow, as if Dios had given up.

"Game? What do you mean game? Wait!"

Dios' presence faded into the forest and Akio knew that it was probably the
last time that he would see the prince in his dreams. But he was still
there. He could feel him...so close... Akio breathed in deeply, his body
trembling. What was this?

******

"How long have we been here?"

"How long will it last?"

"The pain...surrounds me."

Anthy fell back her eyes closed.

"Shh..." the dark hand moved from her neck to the area between her breasts,
pausing.

"Brace..." The bride whispered.

"No...don't take it back." Anthy responded weakly.

"Roses of the noble castle, heed your master and come forth," the shadow
whispered, a ball of light forming beneath her hand and the hilt of the
sword burst through Anthy's chest.

"Anthy!!" Akio cried out.

"Stay away..." The bride said, "The sword is not yours to wield, Dios won't
allow it! It must be taken back!"

Anthy cried out, "It hurts...please stop! It hurts! Stop...please, please."

Akio ran to her, shoving the Shadow Bride out of the way so that she fell
to the ground, forest leaves covering her gown.

"To hell with Dios," He proclaimed before fully giving his attention to his
sister, "Anthy, I'm here Anthy."

"It hurts Onii-sama," she said through tears, her voice strained, her body
contorted in such a way that she was almost bent completely backwards.

"Shh, its alright Anthy," Akio placed his hand on the hilt of the sword and
began to pull gently.

"No stop! It's not yours anymore! Your path will destroy us! It will
destroy you!" the bride struggled to stand but couldn't, it was too late.

Akio cried out as the light grew brighter and he had to shield his face,
the blades hilt hot, burning his hand. He continued to pull the sword,
despite Anthy's cries and the Bride's protests. There was little he could
do now. The Shadow Bride didn't understand...She didn't know Dios had given
up. At last the sword came free and Anthy fell to the ground in a crumpled,
trembling heap while Akio staggered backwards dizzy with the power that the
blade held. Finally the light faded and he realized that he was again
dressed like a prince.

Across from him was Anthy who started to stand, once more wearing the blood
red gown.

The Shadow Bride studied him, "You will taste the swords...it is guaranteed
now."

Akio took a step back, the sword almost slipping through his fingers;
no...they wouldn't win. They couldn't.

"There will be a day with one will rise up; a new Dios, and take the place
that was to be yours...including the revolution. " Akio relaxed a little, at
least he and Anthy would be together then, they had planned to find a new
Dios. He didn't care if someone else took his place.

"Including the Rose Bride. She belongs to Dios. You will not hold this
power for long." She continued.

What?! Akio's eye widened. No! No one would take Anthy from him. No one.

"Anthy, come here," he demanded, he desperately needed to feel her body
against his to guarantee that she was still there. Anthy was standing now
and she looked up at her brother slowly, her hands folded in front of her,
her green eyes were shadowed with pain but she managed to make her way to
him, falling into his arms. Akio did his best to hold her up without
dropping the sword, as if he was afraid that if he lost the sword he would
lose Anthy.

"It hurts onii-sama," she said, placing a trembling hand on his chest.

"I know Anthy...I know," his mind flooded once more with the painful whispers
of the world.

******

Akio awoke to the sounds of Anthy sobbing into her pillow and Chu-Chu
trying frantically to calm her, "Onee-chan?" He peered over the side of the
bed.

"It hurts Onii-sama," she said, her voice strained, her small hands
clutching at her chest where the sword had gone in the first time.

"Shh," Akio jumped off the top bunk and kneeled next to her, pulling her
close to him, caressing her soft hair, her back. Soon she calmed down and
was able to look at him. Akio's green eyes refused to meet hers. Was he
regretting what he had done to her earlier despite her silent protests? No,
she had relented; she had done that willingly, enjoyed it even. Anthy was
silent.

"What did she tell you?" Akio asked finally.

"I don't...she said that you wouldn't be able to truly revolutionize the
world unless the new Dios gave you his sword."

The new Dios. His eyes narrowed slightly. So beyond his control...something
that he needed to control.

Akio released Anthy and made his way to the window. "This Dios will be able
to change the world as he sees fit?"

"Yes," Anthy answered placidly, watching him from her place on the bed.

Akio could see the rays of the sun just beginning to reach out over the
hills, near by was Venus...the morning star. Funny...he had been noticing it a
lot lately and it seemed as if he had become Venus, over shadowed by the
Sun which was the threat of a new Dios...but if this new Dios could be dealt
with...if the sun's light could be dimmed. Yes. It would just be a matter of
getting to them first. And even so...surely the world could be revolutionized
without this new Dios, or even before this Dios arrived. That might be
preferable, beat Dios at his own game.

"What did you say Anthy?" Akio said turning around.

"Hmm? Nothing," she said sleepily, her cheek now pressed against the
pillow.

"We are going to try to have the revolution without this new Dios. Surely
there must be a way to reach that realm. Anthy,"

"Yes?"

"Swear to me that...if the new Dios comes...swear that you will not go with
him."

Anthy looked at her brother through tired puzzled eyes, but nodded, "I
swear. I won't leave you Onii-sama."

Akio nodded and returned to her, "Good...nothing will come between us."

******

Akio was still in classes during the time of the first duel. He would have
preferred not to be involved in classes but he was ready for the trial run
of the duels. That's what they had decided upon, duels. Anthy, had told him
that there was a certain way to go about it, an elaborate dance where the
players knew their part but not their position. The one most worthy would
be the one to reach the final duel, the duel of Revolution, but they first
had to pass a series of tests. Ideally only the new prospect for Dios, the
new prince of the world, could win all of those duels, but then again was
Dios truly the ideal? He smirked, Dios had died, the fool, run ragged by
over demanding princesses, driven by the painful whispers. He swore that he
would be the one in control now. The mind and essence of Dios still ebbed
in his mind, his power strong and unsettling but Akio was learning to
control it, learning its ways and its beauty. There had to be a sacrifice,
but it would not be him. He had chosen several people who might possibly
work as duelists for the first game. He wanted to see how it would work and
was not fool enough to think that he would gain revolution in the first
try...but he and Anthy had a long time didn't they. They were different now,
different from any other people on the earth...now, he was a god and Anthy
was his goddess. True eternity was in their grasp.

"Himemiya Akio pay attention!"

He smirked, same teacher, same situation. This time though the stupid wench
wouldn't get the upper hand. He was everyone's prince, and soon, even she
would learn this.

                              End of Part Four