Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 14:54:50 EDT
From: Morbddream@aol.com
Subject: Crimson Tears - 18

Disclaimer: This is not meant to imply anything about the sexuality of any
of the members of Nsync. If it's illegal, or you're too young. Please go...

Note: I know you all hate me, now... Thats ok, though. There won't be
anything else about that subject in my story. I want you all to understand,
though, that I wasn't making fun of anyone, just being creative in fitting
the multiple God scheme into even this world. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe
it wasn't. Thanks for not e-mailing me only to complain, though.

				 -LilAlfie

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From 17:
	Suddenly, the ground began to shake. A steeple protruded from the
edge of the circle.  Other steeples followed. Fortification flew up from
the ground between the towers. There was a small path traced by wilted
roses disappearing behind a corner inside the temple. "S-should we go in,
or should we wait?" Asked Ryu. "You're not going anywhere." I stated. He
somehow managed to pout. "Sorry, but you're just too big. You, and Rosey
guard the entrance." Rosey looked at me, and raised an eyebrow. "I don't
take orders from the likes of YOU!" She screeched. "Rosey!"  Gail was
staring into her eyes. "Don't you ever say anything like that again! I want
you to remember just how big Ryu will get, and how powerful." Rosey looked
at Ryu, then at the ground.  "Fine. We'll guard the entrance."

*****************************************************************************

	I heard Rosey snorting, and Ryu chuckling. I smiled to myself as I
walked down the path, looking at all of the runic symbols on the walls. We
walked until we found Luke, waiting at another entrance. "Stay close to
me. This entire temple is covered in runes, and you will die if you wander
too far from me." He turned, and walked into the interior of the temple. We
stayed close, as he instructed, looking around at the runes glowing
brightly. I could feel them, locked on to us. They were watching our every
move. Luke stopped at an altar, we crowded around. He turned, smiling. He
was holding a chalice with one hand. He motioned for everyone standing
behind someone else to move up. We were now in a circle around him. He
dipped his hand in the chalice, and quickly drew a line with a red liquid
on each of the outsiders forheads. They all fell to the floor, in a deep
sleep.

	I knelt, and checked Lance's pulse. He was alive, so I guessed the
rest were, too. I looked around the temple, and saw all of the runes
glowing red. They seemed to be pulsing into the guys minds. Everything,
other than the runes, was black. The altar, the chalice, the floor.  I saw
a huge symbol suspended above the altar. I recognized it as the symbol of a
well known Necromancers' mark. It meant a certain horde had struck the
town. It was the symbol of the single most feared Necromancer, who was
believed to have been banished to the underworld by a powerful Dragon named
Faarooq. "Luke." He turned to me. "Was it you?" I asked, simply. I recieved
confused looks from everyone else. "Yes, it was. Faarooq didn't banish me,
he saved me through pain, and anguish. He sent me to the underworld for a
short time. He believed anyone can be saved." He glanced at Alexander, then
looked back to me. "The power it took to send me there, and bring me back
was enormous. Diablo didn't want to let me leave, because of the pain he
knew I could cause. Faarooq had to send himself, and rescue me. The power
that took, and with the help of Diablos, Faarooq lost most of his
power. Along with his will to live. He was immortal, though, so he knew he
couldn't destroy himself. Instead, he used his last ounce of power to turn
himself into a human. This gave him some of his power back, but took his
voice in return." We all looked at Alexander as he nodded.

	"I can't believe we fought along side THE Faarooq!" Gail seemed to
bounce. "Rosey is going to freak! She idolizes you!" Alexander looked at
his feet. "He doesn't want you to tell anyone." Luke had pity in his
voice. "The one thing he truly lost is the ability to change back. He's
stuck in that body forever." Alexander looked up, and into Luke's
eyes. Luke nodded, and looked at the guys, lying there. "They're witnessing
everything. You all witnessed it, so I saw no reason to send you." He
turned to me. "Jacob, I'm sorry for sending them. It was before
Faar... Alexander saved me." I turned to leave but remembered the
runes. "Don't worry. I just wanted them close so I could get them all." I
nodded, and walked out of the temple. Walked back through the gates, and
past Ryu. He started to say something, but I heard a whirring sound.  I
knew it was Rosey's tail stopping him. I didn't look back, but continued
walking. I kept walking until I was stopped by another structure, a lot
like Luke's temple.

	Curiosity overtook me, and I stepped through the gates. This path
was traced with beautiful, healthy roses. I walked down, watching the lines
on the granite walls pass by. I came to the entrance to the interior, and
hesitated. This temple didn't feel right. Still, I walked inside, and saw
the same kind of runes. These walls were white, though. "A balance of
power.  Where there is evil, there must be good. This is Faarooq's lost
temple." I whispered to myself.  "And Rosey said you wouldn't figure it
out." I turned, and saw Ryu at the entrance. He was now small enough to
fit. "What happened to you?" I asked. "Nothing. I can change my size. This
is where we were created." I sighed, and dropped to my knees. "Whats
wrong?" Ryu strided over, and lay down next to me. "Luke was the one Malak
hired." Ryu ruffled his feathers, and fur. "I don't think you told me that
story." I reached over, and stroked his back. I told him the whole story.

	When I finished, he sighed and stood. "That was before Faarooq. I
know the whole story.  I know everything Faarooq knows. He created us. Luke
is changed, there is no going back for him.  You have to forgive him." I
shook my head. "How can I? He destroyed the only place I knew as home." Ryu
looked straight into my eyes. "You would still think you're an elf if not
for him.  You would still think the man you called father wouldn't turn you
over to the undead without so much as summoning something to protect
you. Those elves were heartless creatures, and you know it." I could feel
the tear running down my cheek. "You're right. That hurts so much more." He
spread one of his wings, and lay it on my shoulders. I couldn't help but
laugh. "What?" He moved his wing, and returned it to it's former
posistion. "Sorry. That just seemed funny to me." He snorted. "Come on. I'm
big enough, now, that I can fly you back to the other temple." I nodded,
and stood.

	I inhaled deeply as the wind whipped past my face. I watched the
sun set, slowly. I could see the temple in the distance, with Rosey still
standing guard. As we got closer I could see Rosey squirming around on the
ground. Then, I saw ropes tightly tied around her body. "Ryu..."  He began
descending faster. "I see it." He landed with a quiet thud, and I jumped
off of him and ran to Rosey. "What happened?" I was trying to stay calm,
but the possibility of my friends being dead kept running through my
mind. "Th.. They took them." I was trying to get the roped untied.  "Who?
Who took them?" Ryu walked up beside me, and sawed through the rope with
one of his claws.  Rosey stood, and stretched her wings. "Camelot soldiers
came. They tied me down, and took everyone. Except one. There was one I
didn't see. The angel wasn't with them! They used a holy spell, so he was
immune. Please, we have to save Gail!" I stroked the spines on the top of
her head. "We will. Don't worry." I smiled, and stood.

	When I turned my back, my expression changed. My anger was
overtaking me. My face twisted until I looked much like a half human
fledgling. Fangs had sprouted, and were growing, extending to my chin. My
curled horns sprouted again, only this time they were blazing crimson with
fire. My legs popped, and my knees pushed backwards. My feet grew smaller,
and were coated in what seemed to be black iron. I pawed at the grass with
my hooves as the robes I was wearing fell to the ground. My body was now
coated in a thick layer of fur. My wings shot from my back, in a larger
span than ever before. My eyes were glowing bright red.

	Lance emerged from the temple, and stopped in his tracks when he
saw me. "Jacob? Is that you?" I stared at him, slowly losing control of my
mind. "This was in that book. You.. you're going to lose your sanity, and
your full power will be unleashes on Derux. Can you hear me? Are you still
in there?" I nodded, slowly. I was trying to fight my anger, but was losing
the battle.  Lance circled around me. He traced his finger along my
back. No, it was a pattern. "The glyph of destruction..." He trailed off. I
fell to the ground, and curled myself into a ball. I was close to losing
all sanity, and knew I would kill Lance, and Rosey. Ryu was slowly getting
bigger, his feathers turning into a black metal, his fur turning into black
spikes. "G... go... save the others. If.. y.. you ... don.. don't
leave... I'll... K.. ill.. you.." Lance ignored me, and kept tracing the
glyph on my back. "What ... are ... y ... ou ... doing...?" He stopped, and
stroked the fur on my head. "Do you remember how we both thought the glyph
of destruction looked a lot like the glyph of life?" I managed to nod, but
soon after my body was frozen. "I know that has something to do with this.

	Ryu had grown to an emormous size. He was pacing, obviously
worried. He knew I was losing the battle, and he would soon be by my side
as I destroyed the dimensions. Lance was furiously flipping through a
book. I watched him, my eyes getting heavy. His eyes widened, and he
slammed the book down. I moved my head, and looked at it. I didn't
understand what he was doing. He pulled out a dagger from under his robes,
and walked toward me. I closed my eyes, waiting for the dagger to pierce my
flesh. "It's ... the only ... way." I muttered.

	I felt the cold steel pierce my back. It moved, in a straight
line. I heard him sheath the dagger. He walked around me, and knelt in
front of me. He pulled me to him, and placed my head in his lap. He stroked
the fur on my head again, and looked into my eyes. "It shouldn't be long,
now." He smiled, but I didn't know why. I tried to move, and found that the
paralysis was gone. I reached up, and ran my hands ove my face. I felt
skin. There were no fangs. I looked down my body, and turned deep red. I
quickly covered myself, and scurried for my robe. I heard giggles behind me
as I finished dressing.

	"What did you do?" I said, walking back toward Lance. "I just
finished the glyph. The glyph of destruction is only an unfinished version
of life." I looked at Ryu. His appearance hadn't changed. "Oh. Ryu, why
haven't you changed back?" He was lying on the grass, just watching
us. "Your little freak out sped up the process. I'm almost fully grown,
now." I nodded, and remembered why I had gotten so angry in the first
place. "Lance, we have to save them." He nodded, and looked at the
ground. "Justin should be on his way here, now. I changed into a snake to
get away. Justin will probably change into something, and sneak out of camp
tonight. We should wait for him." I looked around, and noticed for the
first time that it was night.

	I stroked Ryu's Mettalic fur. I was sursprised when I felt how soft
it was. It looked like steel, but felt like silk. He was slightly larger
than Rosey, now. I looked around the plains for any sign of Justin. I had
just about given up when I saw something moving in the grass. I heard a
squeak as a rat scurried over to me. It stood on it's hind legs, and
sniffed the air. I picked it up. "Justin? Is that you?" I whispered. The
rat just looked at me, and scratched at the air. "Stop playin' around. We
have to go save everyone else." It jumped out of my hands, and ran to
Lance. "Who's playin' around?" I turned, and saw Justin walking up behind
me. The rat was running off toward the mountains. Ryu giggled as I turned a
bright shade of red. "Nevermind." Justin smiled, and leaned against
Ryu. "So, whats the plan?" He kicked a rock that was lying on the
ground. "Who needs a plan. Let's just level the city." Said Rosey. I looked
over at her. Her eyes were glowing a deep blue, and mist trails were
escaping her mouth. "You're an ice dragon?" I asked. "No, I'm a white
dragon dumb ass." I rolled my eyes. "I know, but I've never heard of a
white ice dragon." She pawed at the ground. "Thats because theres no such
thing.  Remember, I'm just a working of Gails imagination."

	"Ryu, how exactly am I supposed to get up there?" I said, turning
to him. "Climb up.  Pull the fur all you want, I won't feel it." I did as
he said, and used his fur as a ladder.  "Why didn't you jusy fly up?" Asked
Lance. "I don't know what to expect. I might need every ounce of energy I
have." I was trying to get my balance, wishing I had something other than
fur to hang on to. "So you get to ride something, and we don't?" Asked
Justin. I looked at Rosey, who was impatiently waiting. "Hey, Rosey. Can
one of these guys ride you?" She glared at me. "What do you think?" I
sighed, and motioned for them to climb up. Once they were situated, Ryu
spread his wings. He lifted himself into the air, stirring a cloud of dust
as he rose. He lifted above the mountain, and hovered until Rosey caught
up. He looked at her, and nodded. She sped off toward Camelot, followed
shortly by Ryu. Justin was clutching to me, and Lance to him. His face was
ground into my shoulder to the point of pain.

	I could see the city in the distance. Rosey descended, and landed
hard. Ryu did the same, landing softer. Justin, and Lance practically fell
to the ground. I climbed off of Ryu, and helped them up. "Now what?" Asked
Ryu. "Now we sneak in, and find a way to rescue them." I suggested. "Won't
work. They know you and are looking for you." Rosey was getting less, and
less patient with every passing moment. "Then what do you think we should
do?" I understood it, but was getting tired of her attitude. "You can all
change your forms, can't you? Then why don't you do that?" I could only
think of one word when she said that. 'Duh.'

	I watched as Lance's form shifted. He was shifting in on himself,
and slowly morphing into a palace guard. Ryu had reduced his size, and was
seeking three guards for their uniforms.  Justin, too, changed his form. I
remembered a General I saw while staying in the castle. I overheard his
conversation, and it seemed he would be leaving for a few years. I thought
it would be easier to move around if I were in a high posistion.

	Ryu returned shortly with three royal robes. We slipped them on,
and started toward the gates of Camelot. The guards were missing. I heard a
groan from one of the doors to the side.  "We don't have long. Even if Ryu
remembered to lock the door someone will hear them when they wake up."
Lance, and Justin nodded, and quickened their pace. We asked around, and
gathered that they were being held in the trial dungeon. This dungeon was
full of monsters, and no one could survive for long. Due to the respect my
form had, it was easy to slip into the dungeons.

	We reached the large iron doors leading to the trial dungeons, and
were stopped by two heavily armored guards. "Sorry, General, but we can't
let you pass." The guard on the left spoke with a gruff tone. He reminded
me of someone, but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Why is that?  We are
supposed to execute the prisoners imediatly. These orders come straight
from the King.  I suggest you step aside." The left guard shifted
uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, sir. I was ordered not to let anyone
through. Not even the king himself." I looked down, imitating a sad
look. "Then we will have to kill you." The guard staggered back. "Excuse
me, sir?" I lifted my head, and grinned. I changed back to my original
form, and in an attempt to intimidate him I let my horns extend. He
narrowed his eyes, studying my face. "You! Elf! Gabriel told me how you got
out. I won't let you off so easy this time!" Realization hit me like a
hunting behemoth. "Barry."

	Barry lunged, followed by the other guard. I dodged Barry's attack,
but was winged by the second guards sword. Justin grabbed him, and slammed
him against the wall. He quickly changed into a large snake, and began
squeezing the life out of the guard. Lance was busy trying to open the
door, remembering what was said about the rate of survival in this dungeon.

	Barry stood back, licking his lips. "It's too bad I have to crush
that pretty little face of yours. Gabriel remembers you. I doubt he'll
recognize you when I'm through!" With that said, he swung at my neck. The
wound slowed me down, and I barely dodged. I was clutching my side, trying
to stop the blood flow. Barry lunged again, but as I was dodging he kicked
into my wounded side, causing me to collapse on the floor. The other guard
had wriggled out of Justins grasp, and was now holding him at bay. Lance
appeared to have been knocked out. I saw a stain of blood on the wall, and
the spot on his head where he had hit.

	The light from the torches reflected off of his sword. It was above
his head. The world was hazy. I had lost too much blood. The wound didn't
seem so deep, yet...

	He was there, stopping him. It was too hazy, I could barely make
out his form. He was slender, but strong enough to overpower Barry. Barry
was gone, suddenly, and he was kneeling over me. His long brown hair fell
to my face. It tickled a little. He was pressing on my side. I couldn't
scream, but the pain was overwhelming. He stopped, and stared at me. The
hazel of his eyes was almost hypnotizing.

	I saw someone else. It was Justin. The Lance. They were all
standing over me. He was still kneeling. I couldn't stay awake any longer,
but I wouldn't allow myself to sleep. I had to know who he was. The pain
finally took over, and there was darkness.

TBC...
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I'm sorry if that wasn't any good... (Usual excuse...!) I'm extremely tired
(That seems to happen alot, huh?) and just started writing 'cause I got
bored. Anyway - E-mail at Truamricanbadass@AOL.com... IM there, or at
Morbddream. Bye-bye... and Good night!!!