Oblivion

Where light shines, darkness follows...

---

He thought the process of becoming possessed would be one filled with pain and suffering. Ryoma didn't expect, however, that it would be painless and quick. One moment, he was standing outside where the possessed warrior Tylin was being held, the next there was a sickening red light shining in his vision and a flickering of pain in his head before it all went away.

The first thing he noticed was different was the bloodlust. He wanted to kill, kill, KILL. He wanted to stain the world red with the blood of his people; he wanted to hear the screams of those pathetic weaklings as they begged and pleaded to be spared.

The next thing was the desire to rule. Ryoma wanted to burn this world and rule its ashes with Leomaris by his side. And... where is that pathetic excuse for a guardian? He was beaten, then wept for those who he couldn't save. It was deplorable. Guardians were meant to be strong, stronger than everyone else, yet Leomaris cried for those who were beyond his reach.

And Ryoma knows he's beyond the two toned draconis' reach as well. Everyone who was possessed by the Dark One were doomed to walk the earth as its pawn until their lives were cut short, or, somehow, the enigma was slain. The prince can't help but laugh cruelly at the thought; they've been trying for what feels like forever to find its weakness without avail.

Ryoma looks at the door, lip curled in a sinister smirk. He knows his master will toy with his guardian before letting him go. It'll tell Leomaris he failed, the prince he so desperately sought to protect was now one of his warriors. The black haired warrior wonders if Leomaris will decide life isn't worth living without him by his side and join him.

He almost laughs at the thought. If his guardian is one thing, it's determined, and Ryoma guesses he won't come to his side without kicking and screaming. Fine, let that be how it is. You will come to my side soon enough, my beloved...

Ryoma walks away, eyes glowing ambient crimson while his lip curls back to reveal pointed teeth. He's going to have so much fun breaking his former guardian...

##

Leomaris slumps against the door, burying his face in his hands. He knows. He knows the one he swore to protect is now one of the Dark One's warriors. He looks at Tylin from between his splayed fingers, seeing the warrior he trained look at him with a sickening grin that almost splits his face. The boy's eyes, once warm topaz, are now blood red with black sclera. One of the signs a draconis is possessed by that... thing.

His tail is also black with red spikes, when before it was a deep brown with amber spikes. Yet another sign. The Dark One twists the draconis to a shell of their former appearance, turning them to something demented and evil and wrong.

The voice of the Dark One echoes through Tylin as it says, "Well? Aren't you going to ask me why I'm doing this? Of course, I'm not inclined to answer you..."

"Give Ryoma back!" Leomaris snarls, lip pulled back to reveal pointed teeth as he glares at it. "I... I don't care what you do with anyone else, just give him back!"

"Oh? The guardian who swore to protect his people now doesn't care what happens to them, just as long as he gets one measly worm back? How... amusing," the Dark One sneers, walking towards Leomaris. It extends its hand; Tylin's often painted his claws for "something to do", but now they're completely black and Leomaris can see dried, crusted blood on the nails. "How about we make a deal? I'll give you him, if you give yourself to me."

Leomaris almost gives in. Almost. But he hears the prince's voice as if he's standing right next to him, "Don't sacrifice yourself for me." Words they exchanged so long ago (or so it feels) now echo in his ears. He stands, deep red eyes glaring at the Dark One. "Never. I'll find a way to restore Ryoma and all the people you've changed."

"Hah! You think you can do such a thing? You're one draconis against hundreds of my warriors. Tell me, if Ryoma came at you with all intentions to kill you, would you fight him? Or would you stand there like the idiot you are and let him run his claws through your heart?"

The two toned warrior worries the skin of his lips. He didn't even want to think of fighting against his charge. He isn't even sure he could bring himself to lay a finger on him. But when the Dark One snickers at his silence, Leomaris raises his head defiantly. "I would do what he would want; to fight the possessed warriors until you're destroyed. And that includes him."

The Dark One, wearing Tylin's face, looks at him with the smallest inkling of surprise. But the possessed warrior's features smooth out within seconds. "Very well. Fight, then. Fight until my warriors put an end to your sorry existence or you join our side."

The door opens, and Leomaris runs out. Maybe if he's lucky, Ryoma wouldn't have gotten too far. But could he face him without heartache? No. He knows Ryoma would want to end him if he couldn't find a way to restore him. With that decree in his heart, Leomaris continues to run, hoping to whatever god is out there he can find a way to save the prince.

Save the man he loves.

##

The first person Ryoma kills fills his heart with excitement. His white kimono is stained with the feeble one's blood, and the fear coloring their eyes as he ran his claws through their heart makes him howl in victory. And the icing on the cake is their blood. Ryoma digs his fangs in soft flesh, ripping out a portion and sucking the crimson droplets out of the piece before spitting it out.

Some warriors like to feast on the flesh. Ryoma isn't one of them. He likes the taste of blood, but the texture of flesh doesn't sit well on his tongue. The miserable excuse of what was once a demon lies at his feet, and a smirk curls the prince's lips, blood trickling down them. It feels so good to be powerful. He was so... weak before his master showed him the light.

"Ryoma!"

Such a familiar voice. The prince turns, coming eye to eye with Leomaris. Was the man always this beautiful? Fear colors his eyes and his posture is wrought with tension and apprehension. So pretty. "If it isn't my woeful excuse of a guardian. Tell me, how are you doing, Leo?"

The accustomed nickname makes the warrior balk for a minute before he regains his composure and narrows his eyes at Ryoma. "You've already killed?"

The latter looks at the wretched thing at his feet and shrugs nonchalantly. "It was just a demon. No one important."

"Demons and draconis are important!" Leomaris cries out. "You swore to protect them against the Dark One and his warriors; did you forget that?"

"Oh. Did I? Why would I want to protect anyone so... weak?" Ryoma replies, smirking. He licks his lips, feeling the absent taste of blood. It really did taste lovely. "And why would I have you as my guardian? You were beaten by us and wept for those you could not save. How paltry is that?" The prince scoffs. "I don't think you can even raise one hand against me. Sad you love someone now beyond your grasp."

Leomaris doesn't say anything for a brief moment; Ryoma can tell he's steeling himself for what he has to do. "You told me "don't sacrifice yourself for me". And I have no intentions of doing so. I am going to save you, even if you don't want me to. I'm going to save you, Tylin, and everyone else the Dark One turned."

Ryoma can't help but laugh at the heartfelt declaration. "You? One pitiful excuse for a warrior against hundreds of us? I'd like to see you try."

The warrior's gaze is heavy, full of promise, and even Ryoma feels his passion for restoring everyone to their true selves. His tail sways, the once blue now deep black with red fur, and he stares right back at the other. They look at each other, two different desires burning in their eyes, and Ryoma is the one to break the contact. Not giving in; at least that's what he tells himself. But the storm raging in Leomaris' eyes would make anyone not want to stare in them too long.

"I will save you, Ryoma," Leomaris repeats his decree. Ryoma looks at his former guardian underneath his bangs, biting hard on the skin of his cheeks. "And when you're back with me, I swear to never let this happen again. You're not leaving my sight."

Such a bold statement. Ryoma feels the truth and heaviness behind it and almost wants to run. But he's the prince; he's not going to turn tail because of someone beneath him. He lifts his head, claws digging in his palms, and glares at Leomaris. "You think you can find a way to save us? Go ahead and try," he snarls. "Once we're turned, it always has a hold on us. Always."

"If it's dead, you'll be free of its control," Leomaris replies easily. "The queen, your mother, will use her reach and knowledge to save you. And I'll do everything in my power to help her."

Mother? The mention of Isis makes Ryoma's heart feel like a ball of lead in his chest. He, vaguely, remembers a promise to her; he wouldn't be turned like so many of their people were. But now look. Ryoma's eyes burn and something trickles down his cheeks. He reaches a hand up and touches his cheek, his fingers coming back wet. "What... what is this?" he grounds out, trying to will it to stop.

"You know how devastated Queen Isis will be once she learns of your turning," Leomaris answers, voice sad. "You are her only child, her reason for living, and if you die, she'll never be the same. And you know that."

Ryoma growls. "This is... sadness?"

"Yes."

The prince bites his lip so hard blood dribbles down them, and he glares at Leomaris, feeling like it's his fault he's feeling these damnable emotions. Dark Warriors weren't supposed to feel anything, so why is he the exception?

"I'm going to report to her what transpired. There may be a time we cross fangs and claws, Ryoma. And when we do, I won't kill you."

Ryoma grinds his teeth. "And what if I want to kill you?"

"You seem to forget, I have decades more training than you. I was trained to fight. You were trained as well, but not as heavily as guardians. I know I can defeat you." Leomaris doesn't sound happy about the knowledge, moreso complacent.

The prince snaps out, "If you're so tough, why don't we fight? Here and now. Come on."

Leomaris' wings splay as he takes a battle stance. His claws extend, as do his fangs, and he bull rushes Ryoma in a millisecond. He pins him to the ground, gripping his wrists behind his back, and Ryoma sputters and flails, trying desperately to get out of the hold. He feels Leomaris' fangs dust across his jugular, and his eyes widen. He forgot about that. Guardians were specifically trained to take out jugulars in one swift, clean motion. The person wouldn't even know what happened.

The draconis keeps a tight, painful grip on his wrists, but moves his fangs away from Ryoma's jugular, making him sigh in relief. But Leomaris drags him up, pushing him forward.

"I'll place you in high security until we find out how to restore you," Leomaris tells Ryoma. "Try not to cause too many problems, hm?"

Ryoma bares his teeth. He didn't even get a single blow in. How worthless...

##

After securing Ryoma in a high security cell within the palace, Leomaris dreads his next task; telling Queen Isis her only child was possessed. He takes a deep breath before entering the throne room, where the queen sits by the window. She doesn't look up as the warrior approaches, but speaks. "My boy is one of them, isn't he?"

Ah. Leomaris forgot that little bit. Royals could sense each other at all times, so Queen Isis would know her son was turned before anyone. "I'm afraid so, your majesty," the two toned warrior replies sadly. "I managed to subdue and lock him in one of our high security cells, but I know you know something about the Dark One, something you haven't told anyone."

Isis turns, ocean blue eyes boring in Leomaris' own. She stares at him for a moment before a heavy sigh drips from her lips. "The Dark One... is naught but former draconis kings, twisted beyond recognition by a demon known only as "Mithos."

Leomaris blinks at the admission. "Former kings twisted by a demon? That's... I almost can't believe it."

"I didn't believe it myself," Isis replies, getting up and walking towards Leomaris. "But I recognized my husband in that... monstrosity, so I researched, day and night, to try and figure out why he would be within such a thing. What I found out was this isn't the first appearance of the Dark One."

The warrior cocks his head, eyes widening a little. "It isn't?"

"No. It took many sacrifices and blood in order to quell it. Royal blood, to be specific." Isis closes her eyes in pain. "My husband didn't die of an illness. He died as a sacrifice to the beast."

Leomaris' eyes widen even further. "If he sacrificed himself, then why-"

"The Dark One didn't want my husband. It... it wanted my son. It wanted Ryoma."

The younger draconis backs away until he hits a cabinet, not wanting to believe what he was just told. "That... that thing wanted Ryoma? Why?"

"Ryoma's blood is pure. My husband's was not," Isis whispers, interlocking her fingers. "Ryoma... Ryoma's father wasn't truly his father."

"What?"

Isis nods, pain in her eyes. "Before I met Orosu, I fell in love with another. A draconis of royal blood. He didn't love me, but I was too blind to see it. I was just his tool to produce an heir. But... once I realized I was pregnant with Ryoma, I fled, and Orosu protected me by killing Junsa."

Leomaris feels his head spin. His Majesty wasn't Ryoma's true father? It's too much. His vision swims dangerously, and Isis reacts by grabbing his shoulders to steady him. "M... My apologies, your majesty, yet... how long have you been holding on to this secret?"

"The moment Ryoma was born," Isis murmurs. "I knew it would cause chaos if people knew of his father, and how a pureblood was killed by a commoner. It was a secret I swore I would never tell. With my boy being possessed by that monster, I knew I had to tell someone. I'm glad it was his most trusted friend." A determined look burns in her eyes. "Now, we must make haste. The sooner we discover a way to restore the possessed warriors, the better chance we have against the Dark One."

"Isn't the quickest way to restore the dark warriors killing the Dark One?" Leomaris questions.

"Yes, but they will be in our way until the bitter end. We must find a way to restore them and make it so they aren't able to be possessed again."

The younger draconis nods, taking one of the queen's hands within his. "As I told Ryoma, I'll help you in whatever way you need."

"Thank you, Leomaris," Isis replies. "I want to see my son. Can you take me to where you put him?"

"Are you sure that's wise, your majesty?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but I want to tell him myself I will find a way to restore him."

The warrior nods at the queen's determination. "I understand. Follow me, then."

##

Being in this cell is absolute hell. Ryoma's clawed, bit, and kicked at the bars, but it won't budge. There's also screams echoing throughout the halls, and it makes his skin crawl. He wants out.

Footfalls bounce off the walls and Ryoma narrows his eyes, glaring when his former guardian comes in view. "Well well. You couldn't leave me alone for more than an hour, could you?"

"Your mother is with me," Leomaris says, moving to reveal the queen. Ryoma feels as if he's been punched in the stomach when he gazes upon her. "She wants to talk to you, and I'm here to supervise."

"My boy..." Isis whispers, making to move towards the door, but a gentle hand on her wrist stops her. She looks at Ryoma, a despondent look in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I failed to protect you."

Ryoma bares his teeth at her. "I don't need your damn pity," he snarls, shooting forward until his hands grip the bars. "If you truly feel sorry for me, let me out."

"I'm afraid we can't do that," Leomaris cuts in before the queen can respond. "I, for one, am not going to let you free only for you to kill those you swore to protect." He looks at Isis. "We're going to find a way to restore you, my liege. And when you're yourself, I know you'll already feel terrible about killing even one innocent."

"How the hell would you know?" Ryoma bites out, hissing at the pair. "You don't know me-"

"That's the thing, Ryo. I do. I do know you."

Ryoma gasps at the utter of such an old nickname, one his father called him before an unknown illness took his life. "How... how dare you! Only my father could call me that!"

Isis looks as if she wants to comfort him, but Leomaris' hand on her arm prevents her from moving any closer. "Sweetheart," she says, catching Ryoma's attention. "Your father... wasn't taken by an illness. He was offered as a sacrifice to the Dark One."

Ryoma doesn't say anything for a moment, but when words find him, he lets out an earth shattering roar as his eyes glimmer. "You... you lied to me about his death all these years?! Why?! Why would you, mother?!"

"Because!" Isis moves away from Leomaris to wrap her hands around her son's. "It wanted you and your father refused to have your life cut short by that monstrosity!"

"It... it wanted me?" Ryoma wants to claw the skin off Isis' hands, but shock prevents him from doing so. "Why would it want me?"

"You are a pureblood. Your father... is not."

Ryoma stares at his mother for a few moments. "How is that possible? If father wasn't pure, how could I be-?"

Isis tightens her hold on Ryoma's fingers. "Your birth father was a pureblood."

"Birth... father? What... what are you saying?"

"My husband wasn't your father, my love," Isis murmurs. "But he was more of a father than your birth one was."

Ryoma doesn't know what to feel. His emotions swirl until one settles. Anger. Red, hot, and searing. He roars and moves to tear the skin off Isis' fingers, but not before Leomaris takes action and drags her away. "Not only did you lie to me about father's death, now I find out he wasn't my father?!" He feels his dragon form come to the surface as he begins to change. "Bitch!"

It takes naught but a few seconds for him to shift to his dragon form, the cell he was in crumbling to pieces around him. Letting out an earth shattering roar, Ryoma splays his wings and takes to the skies, leaving his mother and guardian behind.

##

To say Isis is shook by the experience is a vast understatement. Leomaris can tell she's traumatized by what just transpired, and he rests a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find him, your majesty."

"I... I shouldn't have told him," Isis whispers, tears trickling down her cheeks. "I just... I felt he had a right to know. I should have waited until he was sane, but the words kept coming and I couldn't stop them. You understand such a feeling, don't you?" the queen practically begs, one of her dainty hands gripping onto the warrior's own. "Don't you?"

"I do," Leomaris reassures. "But if I knew you were going to tell him, I would have advised against you coming to see him."

"...I apologize," Isis replies, sadness in her eyes. "I had no intention to, yet..."

"We cannot control our words sometimes. I understand. Ryoma brings such a quality out of everyone... it's what will make him a great ruler."

"Yes. I'll gather any and all information I can regarding Mithos. It may be far too much to ask, but... can you find my boy?"

Leomaris nods. "You don't have to ask, my queen. I'll find him and bring him back to us."

"Thank you, Leomaris. Orosu was right to entrust our son to you; I see that now." Isis nods, determination on her face. "When you find him, can you... tell him I'm sorry?"

"I'd rather not bring up such a touchy subject until his sanity is restored," the warrior apologizes. "But once he's returned to us, you may apologize to him yourself."

With those words uttered, the two toned warrior focuses his mind to his most basic instincts. The change takes mere seconds, but it always feels like a waterfall gushing in a person's head for a brief moment before everything settles. Another strength the dark warriors have over regular draconis; if they change forms, they can attack right away, while the non possessed warriors have to stay still for at least a minute before being able to fight.

Once his vision clears, Leomaris beats his wings before taking to the skies, using his enhanced sense of smell to track where exactly Ryoma could have gone.

It takes about fifteen minutes to find where the prince went. And the scene before him is absolutely grisly. Bodies - or mangled pieces of what once were bodies - litter the ground, blood soaks the earth, and Ryoma's once white kimono is stained crimson. Focusing his vision on the older draconis, he can see his lips drip with crimson droplets and fangs are covered as well.

Shifting to his human form, Leomaris screams, "Ryoma!" before landing in front of the prince. Ryoma looks at him, ruby eyes glowing, and wears a smirk that threatens to break his face. It looks demented. Evil. Wrong. "I understand you're upset-"

"How would you feel... if everything you knew... was suddenly ripped away from you?" Ryoma queries between bites of flesh. "You wouldn't have a clue, would you?"

"I do!" Leomaris wants to reach towards the prince and wrap him within his arms, tell him everything will be okay, but he knows not to. Ryoma, in the state he's in, wouldn't hesitate to tear out his heart if he so much as went near him. "I never told many people this, but... I was an unwanted child. My "parents" threw me in a ditch, hoping I'd die. If it wasn't for my mother, I would have."

Ryoma looks taken aback, but the smirk widens on his features, if that was even possible. "Maybe they were onto something."

This isn't him speaking. He'd never say that to you, Leomaris' inner voice tries to reassure him, but tears spring to his eyes regardless. "You were the only person who made me feel like I had a purpose, Ryoma. Becoming your guardian was my greatest solace."

"Hm. Is that so?" Ryoma arches an eyebrow. "If I mean so much to you, why don't you join my side? We can rule this feeble world together as its kings."

"You know that's an impossible dream." Leomaris approaches Ryoma, who bares his teeth and raises his claws. "The Dark One wants to rule this world."

"We can overthrow it!" Ryoma snarls. "Don't underestimate my new power. With you at my side, we can show it who truly deserves the world."

"...It'll kill you before you even attempt to. You know it as well as I do, Ryoma."

Ryoma narrows his eyes. "I would go down fighting, then."

Leomaris comes closer to the prince, taking one of his bloodstained hands within his. "You don't want to die. You want a reason. Am I wrong?"

"Be silent!" Ryoma tries to wring his hand away, but Leomaris' strength surpasses his own, even in his new state. "I've told you - you don't know anything about me-"

"I know you better than anyone else in this world, my love," Leomaris leans closer, cupping one of Ryoma's cheeks with his hand. "And you know that."

"Sh... shut up..."

"You're tired of being the prince. The sole heir. The one the kingdom depends on to govern them. But you're right; we can rule this world, as the draconis kingdom's kings. So come back. Come back to me."

Ryoma feels warm lips descend upon his, and weaves of darkness start to leave his heart until the only thing remaining is the light Leomaris is offering him. He grabs onto it and the final holds of the Dark One leaves his mind - the last thing he hears is the thing screaming before it leaves his conscious.

Gripping onto Leomaris' jacket, tears drip from Ryoma's eyes as he kisses his guardian back with everything he's felt for so many centuries. Leomaris wraps his arms around his prince, pulling away to bestow kisses upon the royal's neck. All the while, Ryoma clings to him, head tipped back in silent prayer as the one he's loved for all these years finally sees him.

"Ryoma?"

Ryoma doesn't know when Leomaris stopped. He attempts to look at himself, but a hand over his eyes stops him, yet it doesn't stop the feeling of drying and wet blood. "What... what have I done?"

"It wasn't you, beloved," Leomaris swears, bestowing a kiss upon Ryoma's hair. "It was the Dark One. And it will pay for doing this to you."

"I... I don't remember anything... but mother... she told me father wasn't truly mine. Is that the truth?" Ryoma buries his face within Leomaris' chest, tucking his head underneath the latter's chin. "Everything is so jumbled... I have no idea what's true and what is not."

"King Orosu was not your birth father, but he was more of a paternal figure than Junsa could have ever hoped to be," the warrior murmurs, tightening his hold on the prince. "In the end, he was your father."

Ryoma nods, nuzzling closer to Leomaris. "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry for what I put you and mother through. And those innocent people... I will carry this burden for the rest of my eternity."

"Not alone."

"...What?"

"You will not carry the burden alone," Leomaris repeats. "It was my fault you were turned, so this is my burden as much as yours."

"It wasn't-!"

Ryoma's words get sealed off by another kiss, this one simply demanding one thing - to understand. It's so full of sadness and pain it makes the prince's eyes water as he clutches onto Leomaris, telling him without words he does. He feels the warrior's lips curl against his own before the latter pulls away, brushing his hand against Ryoma's cheek gently.

"I will protect you," is the only thing Leomaris decrees, but the words mean so much more than that; something both of them realize.

Ryoma rests his hand against his guardian's, giving him a smile.

"I know."

---

Fin.