Destruction Preventer: Lunar Salvation

Destruction Preventer: Lunar Salvation
Chapter 4 – Make You Mine


She had to make it. She had to.

"Cecil, please, be alive!" she repeated out loud, a mantra to keep her spirits calm.

Rosa Farrell had left the same night Kain had come back. She had overheard his discussion with the King, and snuck out only minutes after packing the very minimum for a day trip. Adrenalin fueled her; she evaded everything.

What she saw made her vomit what little food she had eaten this morning. Several bodies laid around the now-desolate area, but none she could identify as Kain or Cecil.

But there was one part of the town she could not access. The divide between both parts was wide; she could not make it through with a jump.

Cecil was a smart man – he probably had made it to Kaipo. The problem was the desert.

She ignored her own warnings and set off.

~

Rosa wasn't even halfway through the desert when she started feeling dizzy. The water in her canteen didn't help. She evaded everything she encountered, unable to hurt the monsters with her white magic. In an attempt to fend off a large reptile – they were roughly her size, dear gods what I have gotten into? - she had broken her staff, leaving her physically helpless.

The woman listened for any sounds, and flopped to the ground, exhausted. She had made it so far already. There was no giving up. She stood up, but her legs gave out on her, sending her back onto the sand.

Maybe she had been careless, too weak, too zealous; but Cecil was in danger. If the King wouldn't do anything, she'd get out there herself.

'No. I can't stand idle! I must see if he's alive...'

In the distance, Rosa could see bodies – three. The shining sun reflected light from them... could it be?

She ran forward.

The trio of dragoons that Kain sent had been brutally murdered; blood trails had dried on the sand, limbs were scattered around. She had assisted Cecil enough to know it wasn't his work. These men had been sent to retrieve Cecil.

Head bent, she sent a final prayer for the men, knowing they wouldn't rest in peace.

A wave of pain shot through her forehead as she brought her head back up, the dizziness came back as well. She extended her arms to her side, hoping to regain balance, managed a few steps, then crumbled.

"Cecil..."

~

"Are you ready, Rydia?"

The green-haired girl nodded – most adults simply bent over to talk to her. Cecil squat, roughly hitting her level. No, the man wasn't as bad as she thought at first. He had killed her mother, of course, but he had also defended her from a far worse fate.

Their next destination was the castle of Damcyan, about a day's walk from Kaipo. This time, Cecil had packed even more goodies and water-filled canteens, even buying candy for the child. She was determined to come along with him, and he needed her somewhere safer than Kaipo.

"Then let's go. Baron will send more forces after you and I." He double-checked the content in his satchel as he exited the inn. He also focused his attention to his immediate surroundings.

"I hope she'll be okay. Fine young woman, she is."

Cecil tried to block out that. Oh the futility.

"The poor thing was derelict when they found 'er. Along with three dragoons for Baron. All dead. Not natural too."

He motioned for Rydia to follow him, and stormed to the two middle-aged men outside the pub. Had the Royal Guards killed the dragoons who made their way to Kaipo? According to the Guards' behavior... it was more than plausible.

And there was the woman. Villager? Baron white mage sent with the dragoons? 'Might prove useful.'

"Where is the woman?" he inquired, blue eyes going back and forth the mustached men.

The smaller one pointed north. "Follow that street and turn right. Can't miss the house, s'the only one by the oasis."

"Thank you." With another wave towards Rydia, Cecil took off followed the directions.

The lone house seemed empty from afar, but once closer, he saw a tiny elderly woman in a rocking chair. Cecil knocked on the door, half-expecting the woman to grab her cane and slowly walk to the door. Instead, he heard a voice. "Come in, young man!"

It seemed not only rumors about pretty women spread around.

"Ah, you're that 'night from Baron! We 'eard 'bout you! You must be 'ere for the lady. Come, come." She waved her hand in the air and picked up her cane – ah, there we go – and led the duo to a room at the back of the house.

"Some merchants on their way to Baron found her. Fair as a princess! She's been saying the same name over and over and over... some man named Cecil..."

The elder woman opened the door.

He didn't even need to see who lied on the bed. "Rosa..."

"She your girlfriend, young man?"

Why did people ask that? Why? "No ma'am, she's a very good friend..." he stated, as a blush spread across his cheeks.

"You young folks are so shy 'bout love nowadays! I remember when my man courted me!"

On cue, a man in his seventies – or eighties – entered the room. "Whatcha talking about Annette! I'm sure the young man here wants to 'ear 'bout the pritty lady and not the old hag!"

The woman turned to Cecil, a grin on her wrinkled face. "As you can see, s'a long time ago!"

"Ah've seen that before! Desert fever! Fortunately, the lady is still young. If she receives the cure soon, she should be just fine. Finding the cure s'the problem, young man."

Cecil tilted his head. "Tell me about this cure."

The man walked to him, speaking with heavy hand gestures. "S'a sand pearl from the Antlion's Den! It only lays eggs on full moons! And if you want to make it through the cave, better find a royal from Damcyan."

"We were already on our way to Damcyan Castle. Their dwellers are generous – I'm sure they will help."

"The 'ardest part is getting t'ere." The old man took a chair and sat by the bed. "You go and do your thang. We'll watch on 'er, don't be 'fraid!"

Cecil cast a quick glance at the elderly couple. The woman dunked a cloth in a small tub of water, and gently put it to Rosa's forehead. "Now you go, young man! The sooner the better!"

"Thank you. I truly appreciate this. Let's go, Rydia."

~

Rydia proved to be a good choice as a travel companion, keen on fighting alongside in spite of her age. Her ice-based magic attacks killed the nearby enemies faster than his sword. Not only did she know black magic spells and to summon Eidolons, but she also used white magic. As a man with zero magical knowledge, Cecil was left thoroughly impressed at her powers.

Getting from Kaipo to the cave leading to Damcyan was easy. They didn't even need to rest before entering the cave.

Cecil and Rydia had made it two steps inside; they already had a third visitor.  Cecil drew his sword. From the shadows, an elderly man with thick purple glasses and a massive white beard staggered towards them.

"You! Dark Knight! I beg of you; help me!"

Puzzled, Cecil lowered his sword. "What happened?"

"My only daughter Anna was taken away from me by a Damcyan bard! He's taken her to the castle, and I fear something is about to happen..."

Anna. Anna. The name was familiar. There was a famous man whose daughter was named Anna... a powerful mage who was born in Kaipo. "Then you must be the sage, Tellah."

The man nodded furiously. "The very same! As much as I want my daughter free of this bard's clutches, I cannot proceed on my own. A vile monsters dwells within these caverns, and my magic alone isn't enough to take it down. Perhaps your sword and this little lady here can help."

Cecil looked at Rydia for a second; she didn't seem to object. And neither did he. They had the same goal. "Of course. We'll lend a hand; we need to reach Damcyan Castle as well."

"Then let us go! There is no time to waste!"

~

Now three, the team moved on at an even faster pace, blasting through the enemies. The fish Cecil had seen in the cave between Baron and Mist were also in these waterworks – they even got out of the water to attack them. If other fish were easily defeated with a shock, these did not go down so quickly. It seemed a few other species had acquired an immunity against lightning...

"I don't think we can eat these, right?" Rydia asked, her large green eyes settled one of the fish. Her childish curiosity wanted to poke it, but she knew better. Just because it was dead did not mean it couldn't hurt her.

"I'm not sure I'd like to try." Cecil barely hid his disdain. He had eaten awkward things in his life, but a shocking fish went too far. Maybe if he was desperate. And he was not that desperate yet. There were still bread, meat and some vegetables in the provision bag.

From the back, Tellah squinted. "We're approaching the beast. We should rest before we go further. A few hours only, if even. You need to save your friend's life, and I need my daughter back."

"I agree. Is there an area void of enemies in this place?"

Tellah nodded. "Yes. Follow me." After going through a small opening, they reached a bigger cavern, where they crossed a short river. Rydia wanted to cross on her own, but the current was strong, and Cecil ended up carrying her on his shoulders.

"Over there." The sage pointed at a door within the wall. "We'll make a fire once we're inside, else we might catch quite a bug."

The room was not too big, nor too small. Both men set up a tent, but they opted for staying around the fire, in major need to warm up.

Nested in a blanket, Rydia took a few minutes to fall to a deep sleep. The men remained wide awake.

"She's a beautiful child... reminds me of my Anna when she was her age. Time flies by..." Tellah sighed. He missed his daughter. "Back when she was a child I didn't have to worry about possible boyfriends. I've met the boy once – a year or so older than she is. Scared of everything. He did not strike me as someone suited to her. I always imagined she would fall for a knight, much like your kind."

Cecil listened quietly; the man needed to talk.

"I did not want her to marry him. Maybe it was a mistake of mine... next thing I know, he's taken her away from me! My wife died when she was a teenager. I had gotten used to have her around."

Sometimes, he envied the commoner's lives – even other soldiers with less responsibilities. He had never even had a lover. Fallen in love, yes, there was Kain. But Kain was in the very same position; training, more training, officership, leading their own divisions. This schedule didn't leave much time to entertain a relationship.

"Still. He took her away to Damcyan! Which reminds me..." Tellah had gone from angry to calm, once more. "What drives you to Damcyan?"

"One of my friend is sick with desert fever. Rydia and I found her in a house in Kaipo."

The explanation satisfied the sage. "Ah, I see. You need the sand pearl. I doubt I'll be of much help against the Antlion you will have to face."

Cecil straightened up. There was something he meant to ask the older man a few hours ago. "The monster you talked of when we entered these waterways, what is it like?"

"An octomammoth - eight large tentacles, each with its own mind. Very aggressive, if you must ask. And we need a plan to defeat it. I've kept this quiet not to strike fear in little Rydia's heart, but I've had dreams about what's coming forth. It does not bode well, young knight."

"Let's rest for a while. Then we'll come up with a plan."

His gaze turned from the sleeping child to the older man, who now rested his back against one of the stones protecting the room.

He could use some sleep as well.

~

Kain paced in his room, biting his lower lip. Anxiety kept him awake a good part of the night, and in the end he only slept two or three hours. A mere nap. He now knew Rosa had taken off after Cecil. Alone. 'Smart one, Rose. Plan to get yourself killed to hunt a man who may already be dead. Though he best not be...'

His thought process stopped as someone knocked on his door.

"Lord Commander, the King demands for you."

"Understood. I'll be there in a minute."

He gave a quick look around his room to make sure everything was okay before he headed out. He wasn't sure why he received no news of the dragoons he had sent the previous morning. Then again, that might be the very reason as to why the King wanted to see him.

With most of the soldiers gone training, the castle remained fairly quiet. His own footsteps echoed in the dark hallways on his way to the throne room. Yet he didn't feel alone.

"There you are, Kain."

That voice. The same deep voice he heard yesterday night as he went to sleep. Also the same one who knew of his – unrequited? - love for Cecil. He had kept it completely silent and made extraordinary efforts not to give it away. If Cecil and Rosa weren't aware of it, no one should be.

So who the hell was that man?

"You and I will have much business to do soon."

Right. Whatever.

Kain shook his head and passed the man; the stranger's dark armor nearly cloaked him in the hallways. He also came to a forced stop. A strong, firm grip on his arm prevented him from going any further. He tried to spin around and backhand whoever was behind him. It didn't work, and he found himself pinned to the wall.

"I will break you, Kain Highwind. Make you mine."

The man released his grip.

Gone.

Kain blinked hard. Was he going crazy? There was no one and yet, there had been someone.

Shaken, but able to keep it under control, he made it to the throne room. Baigan didn't even have him wait; they went right in. Either the King was happy, or in an incredibly bad mood.

"Kain. Thank you for coming under such a short notice. I have good news for you."

"You found Cecil?" the dragoon asked. His hopes were sky-high.

The King shook his head. "We've given up on searching for Cecil. I've hired his replacement already."

Kain's jaw dropped. Insane; the King had to be insane. Only reason possible. The King had raised Cecil as his own son. Until two days ago, he had been constantly praising the younger man's leadership and swordsmanship, that he had been the best thing who happened to the Red Wings...

Not only Cecil was missing, but the King didn't even care. And he had already a replacement?

Kain closed his eyes in an attempt to remain calm. "Who is it, Your Majesty?"

"A man named Golbez. Not only he's a very powerful mage, but he's also an excellent swordsman. He should earn his soldiers' respect in no time." The King's smile broadened. "A fine addition to our ranks. I expect you to welcome him to his new position, as you will be working together often."

"You and I will have much business to do soon."

"I will break you, Kain Highwind. Make you mine."

THAT man was Golbez?! Beyond flabbergasted, Kain couldn't even utter a word.

"I take your silence as a yes, Kain."

Wide eyes will hidden by his helmet, Kain bowed slightly. "Y... Yes, Your Majesty."

~

The same scene replayed over and over in his head. The clawed hand reached out to him and pinned him to the wall. The deep, honeyed voice.

"Make you mine."

The man was clad in dark armor, much like Cecil had been. However, the armor was darker, and the man was much taller and bigger than Cecil.

"I will break you, Kain Highwind."

A purple flash appeared before his eyes, but he didn't reach for his spear. Kain simply moved towards the light, head cocked in anticipation. The man from earlier was now fully visible – and very real

Kain did not move either as the man gently cupped in chin with his massive hand. He had longed for such a touch, and allowed the man to remove his helmet and run a hand in his hair.

"So handsome. So young."

A finger trailed over his lips. "Cecil will never see you the way I do."

Why didn't he back off? Why face the stranger and not punch him?

"Take your armor off."

He obeyed. Slowly, Kain untied his armor, which revealed his toned body limb by limb. He still had no clue as to why he did so; it just felt right. Even as the other man also undressed, he felt nothing different. Until he saw what was underneath the armor.

At six feet, Kain always thought of himself as tall. This man towered over him. He quickly judged the frame in front of him to be around the eight feet and a half, maybe more. An odd, familiar feeling emanated from the man, something about the hair and skin tone... where had he seen someone with thick silver-white hair and such pale skin?

Oh yeah, Cecil.

Weirdly enough, Kain's train of actions didn't stop, as if Cecil was only another man – he forgot that hours ago, he was praying for the man to be alive. He no longer felt guilt while looking at another man, even similar to Cecil.

The stranger closed the distance between the both of them. In one swift motion, he reached for Kain's arm and pulled him even closer. His hand went to the small of his back.

"As of tonight, Kain, you are mine. And mine alone."

The tone didn't seem to bother Kain, for a reason he did not know himself. He appreciated the closeness, the warmth of his body, the sexual attention – something Cecil had never given to him. He was definitively not going to say no...

It'd be foolish to go against the new Red Wing's Captain anyways.

Golbez – that was his name, right? - pressed down on his naked shoulder. "I want you to suck me, Kain."

Kain did as told. He got to his knees, ignoring the cold floor, and ran his tongue over the older man's cock.

"Good boy, Kain. Suck."

He didn't need to be told twice. The dragoon took the tip in his mouth, gently sucking at first. He was forced to take more as Golbez pushed his face further in. He had to admit, Golbez was well-endowed. It only fueled his desire to be taken by the older man – he knew he was not going to be on top with him. Oh well.

Golbez wasn't the type to waste time. He tapped on Kain's head and pointed to his bed. The blond didn't need words to know what to do. Golbez's purple eyes set on the smaller frame as Kain got on all fours, his toned, firm ass right in front of him. A sight for sore eyes.

Kain shivered as a cold, wet finger made it inside him. It felt a bit awkward, uncomfortable, but he told himself he'd have to get used to it. He closed his eyes to focus on the touch. It obviously wasn't done out of love; Golbez's movements were rough. Still, Kain welcomed it and spread his legs a tad, and allowed the older man to continue.

The second finger didn't bother Kain as much. He winced and clung to the sheets under him, but that was all. Golbez had grown closer to him and his right hand came to rest on Kain's side. The dragoon moaned slightly in return.

Golbez withdrew is fingers and quickly replaced them with his cock. Kain groaned and shifted as he tried to adjust to the mass inside of him; it wasn't too painful, but still...

The thrusts came in fast and rough. Kain surprisingly found himself relaxing despite the slight tingling pain in his backside. But when the shaft hit his prostate, his eyes flung open in pleasure. Shit...

All pain faded. Kain was sold.

Golbez pounded in and out of him, each time going faster. He gripped Kain's hips with his large, massive hands and brought him closer. He moved them up, along the younger man's sides. They wound up on his chest and roamed to his back, lining his spine in the process. He felt Kain's skin under his fingers.

Not used to this level of attention from someone else, Kain's breathing picked up. Golbez's left hand now stroked his erection and urged him to come already. He fought against the idea for a moment. He needed more. His body, however, responded faster. His back arched as Golbez thrust inside of him and jerked him off at the same time.  The heat spread across his slender body. His vision momentarily went white and he fought to keep on all fours.

But thanks to Golbez, he managed to stay in position. Moments after, a warm liquid found its way inside of him and the thrusts slowed, then came to a stop. The tall man's body folded over him, and in what would prove to be a rare moment of tenderness, kissed his neck... then suckled hard on the tanned flesh.

Little words were exchanged as Golbez pulled out of him and walked to his armor.

"I expect you to be as obedient as you were just now, Kain."

Kain simply nodded. Golbez's tone was enough of a warning.

"Good. Rest while you can."

"I will."

The massive man exited. Kain remained alone in his bedroom, strangely satisfied. He had pleased his new superior.

Things were starting off on the right foot.

~ To be continued... ~


~


Author's Notes: I had to. I HAD to. The whole game screams of Golbez/Kain - and that is a very good thing XD. When you look at it, Kain rises up so fast in Golbez's ranks. I know he's skilled and all, but Golbez is quite possessive, and I wouldn't put it past Kain to sleep with him. And there will be more! ^_^