Deep in the mountains, there is a small village known as Meera. Very few know of this place and those who do, also know of five very unique young boys who defended Meera when danger arose. There was Heero Yuy, the Perfect Soldier and a skilled warrior with the spear and lance. His companion was Wing, a leopard with speed and strength that matched his master’s. Then there was Duo, self-proclaimed God of Death and a master of scythes. Both he and DeathScythe, a black panther, deserved the title.

Trowa was a swift, deadly assassin whose skill with a bow was impossible to match. HeavyArms, his lion, was as dangerous and as silent as the green-eyed boy.

Quatre was a mage and a healer, but his accuracy with daggers was incredible. Even so, Sandrock, a mountain lion, was constantly following and trying to protect him. Last, but not least, there was Wufei, a deadly swordsman with a strong, if not unbearable sense of justice. Shenlong the white tiger was as fiery as his owner.

Though a formidable team, they were not invincible. This story tells of a time when they came very close to defeat and losing a friend. A tale of magic, love, and the quest for life…

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Quatre ran through the forest as quickly as his legs would allow him. His muscles ached and his lungs were on fire; he knew he couldn’t keep it up for much longer. The footsteps were still behind him. The mage could feel him getting closer and closer. He could already feel the hot breath against the back of his neck.

His foot caught onto an upraised root and he fell. Stabbing pain shot through his leg as his right calf was torn open by the sharp rocks littering the ground. Sandrock nudged him gently and growled when the footsteps came closer. Quatre tried to stand but his leg was useless and he simply fell back to the dirt. Blood was pouring down his calf and soaking his white cloak. A dark shadow loomed over the small blond as he tried to back away.

Quatre reached for a dagger but a strong hand grabbed his wrist.

“Uh uh uh, little boys shouldn’t play with sharp knives.” A voice chided him mockingly.

Blue eyes flared as the healer tried to ignore the throbbing pain in his leg. “Leave me alone, Zechs.”

The older sorcerer shook his blond mane and said, “You know I can’t do that. You belong to me, Pretty One.”

“I was never yours,” Quatre spat out, “You just wanted me as a toy.”

Ice blue eyes flickered with wry amusement as the older man replied, “Maybe so, but one can’t resist a lovely little angel, can they? I know that Trowa is very fond of you.”

Quatre flushed and glared at him. Sandrock growled uneasily but was silenced when the blond boy snapped, “Get Trowa and the others.” He tried to say more but the words never made it out of his lips.

As swiftly as a striking cobra, Zechs backhanded the mage, knocking him onto his back. “Your friends will never make it. Oh, and don’t try using any spells on me. I taught you everything you know.”

“Not this one!” Blue sparks flew from Quatre’s fingertips and struck Zechs in the face.

“You little-” The blond sorcerer was about to hit him again when a flash of brown and silver struck his hand. He hissed and turned around to find the other four boys standing there, weapons drawn and ready.

“Get away from him.” Trowa snarled. Icy blue irises flashed and black sparks shot all around them.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that just yet, my silent friend.” With that, Zechs made a grab for Quatre. This time, a blue-green beam shot out from a pendant around the mage’s neck, cutting off a lock of long blond hair.

“SEE YA IN HELL!” Zechs looked up in time to see a huge scythe loom over him. He jumped back and cursed at the gash in his clothes.

Wufei and Heero joined in, followed by five big cats. Zechs dodged Wufei’s blade and blocked Heero’s lance. Trowa watched the four men and the cats weave in and out of each other, like a dance. He just needed Zechs to stay still for one second… His one visible green eye narrowed as he pulled the bow taut.

//Not yet… NOW! // The arrow shot through the air like a bolt and hit the sorcerer directly in the hollow of his throat. Crimson spilled over his robes and Zechs turned to glare at Trowa with a hateful snarl.

“If I can’t have him, no one can!” Even as life left him, he pulled a black crystal from his robes and threw it at Quatre. The other four boys and their feline companions froze. The crystal hit the ground and splintered. Shards of crystal slashed deep into the young healer’s skin and pain shot through his body as he slumped to his knees. Zechs lay on the ground, blood still streaming from his throat as he muttered, “He will be mine. No one’s ever lived through the Black Fever and the cure is impossible to find.” No sooner had the words left his mouth, he went limp.

Trowa ran to his lover and helped him up. “Quatre, are you alright? Can you walk?” The blond head lolled slightly to one side as he mumbled something about his leg. The archer scooped the smaller boy into his arms and they started to walk back to Meera. Quatre leaned his head against Trowa’s head and listened to Duo’s incessant chatter.

The quiet boy smiled and fingered the pendant hanging from his angel’s neck. The tear drop gem was a rich blue-green that matched Quatre’s eyes. Threads of blue and green drifted and wove throughout the pendant, pulsing and glowing as if it were alive. The gem was imbedded in a silver setting and hung from a silver chain. The pendant supposedly held immense power and enabled the blond mage to cast incredible spells that were otherwise impossible to conjure up.

Duo was the only one making any conversation as they trooped back to their house. Trowa carefully placed Quatre on their bed and asked Wufei to get Sally Po. She was the only doctor in the village and though healers could heal anyone, it was extremely difficult to heal themselves.

Quatre struggled to get up but his taller lover pushed him back down, insisting that he keep his leg still. The little blond pouted slightly and was rewarded with a kiss.

“Ahem.” Duo smiled cheekily at the couple and let Sally into the room. She carefully probed the gash and bandaged it saying, “He’ll be fine. He just needs to stay off it for a while.”

“Okay,” Trowa’s face was blank but his green eyes held relief as he replied, “Thank you, Sally.”

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Wufei sheathed his sword and watched the other four stop their training. Duo swung his scythe over his shoulder and scratched DeathScythe's ears. “That felt good, didn’t it boy?”

Wufei rolled onyx eyes and gently patted Shenlong’s fur. The five boys started to go back when Quatre stumbled.

Trowa looked at him worriedly and asked, “Are you alright?” The blond boy nodded although Heero thought he looked rather pale. “I’m fine.” Quatre mumbled. This time, not even Duo said anything on the way back.

//He’s just tired. All Quatre needs is rest and he’ll be okay. // Trowa thought to himself. Still, he felt like something was wrong and apparently HeavyArms had sensed his discomfort. Still, the silent pair walked on.

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Trowa pulled his nightshirt over his head and climbed into bed. Quatre was already asleep, curled up in a ball under the thick quilt. The taller boy smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to the gleaming blond hair. “Rest well, Little One.”

He woke up to find Quatre tossing and moaning. The healer’s bangs were matted to his forehead and his pajamas were drenched with perspiration. “Quatre…” He shook the small boy but couldn’t wake him up. Trowa’s brow furrowed with concern and he felt for his lover’s pulse. Quatre’s pulse was dangerously weak and his hands felt like ice. Trowa felt panic leak through his self-control. He pressed his palm against the pale forehead and his one visible eye widened.

//He’s burning up. // Quatre moaned again, his breathing thin and ragged. “HeavyArms,” The brown haired boy snapped, “Get Sally.

Sandrock, get Heero and the others.” The mountain lion and the lion ran for the door, nearly tripping over each other in the process.

The assassin cradled his angel in his arms. Quatre coughed weakly and blood trailed from his dry lips. Trowa held him closer, wishing the others would hurry.

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Sally and HeavyArms rushed in. Wufei, Duo and Heero had already woken up and were waiting for her. She could barely suppress a gasp when she saw Quatre lying in bed, pale and feverish. She took his temperature and pulse and said softly, “It doesn’t look good.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Asked Wufei.

Slowly, she raised her head and replied, “It looks like Black Fever.”

The boys were silent for a moment when Duo spoke up, “Isn’t there a cure?”

“There is, but…” Sally hesitated but continued, “Only water from the Spring of Life can cure Black Fever.”

Heero said flatly, “The Spring of Life’s only a myth.”

“No.” All four turned to stare at Trowa, who almost whispered, “The spring is there. It’s dangerous to get there though.” His emerald eyes blazed with a defiant fire as his voice strengthened. “But I’m going to find it. I don’t care how dangerous it is. I’m going.”

“Me too.” Duo piped up, his violet eyes flashing with the same fire that his quiet friend had.

“For Quatre.” Wufei murmured softly. Heero nodded in understanding as he said, “We’ll leave the morning after tomorrow.”

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Sunlight streamed in through a window, its rays hitting the lone figure sitting by the bed. Trowa gently bathed Quatre’s face with a wet cloth and brushed damp locks away from the now peaceful face. Sapphire eyes fluttered open and the pale lips curved upward in a small smile. The mage opened his mouth to say something but Trowa silenced him with a deep kiss. When they broke away he asked, “How do you feel, Little One?”

Quatre shut his eyes and whispered, “It’s so hot.” Trowa pulled the blond’s sweaty top over his head and tossed it in a corner.

“Is that better?” He asked. The assassin knew that Duo would probably throw a fit if he saw but at the moment, his lover’s comfort was the only thing that mattered. Blue eyes opened slightly and Quatre said softly, “Thank you.”

“It’s alright.” Trowa replied, brushing a kiss against the other’s palm.

Trowa watched his little one and placed the washcloth on his forehead. Quatre looked so fragile, like a doll. He clasped the small hand tightly, as if to give him his strength. He brushed golden bangs away from his face and watched over his sleeping angel.

Quatre, for the most part, slept most of the day. Duo popped in occasionally to check on the two lovers and bring Quatre compresses. At some point in the afternoon, he walked in to find Trowa nearly half-asleep.

“Oi Trowa, let me take care of him for a while, okay? You look like hell.” Indeed, the brown haired boy looked like he’d been dragged through the forest and back. The braided boy grinned and took a seat by Quatre’s side as Trowa mumbled something and curled up at the foot of the bed.

Duo leaned closer as the blond moaned and woke up. “Hey Quatre, feeling better?”

The healer managed a weak smile and replied, “A little, thank you.”

“That’s good. You know…” He went on babbling for a good thirty minutes until Heero stuck his head in and said, “Baka. Quatre needs his rest and Trowa’s probably going to wake up soon. Let’s go.” Shinigami never paused his chattering and let his cobalt-eyed lover drag him away.

Quatre laughed softly and relaxed when he felt a gentle hand caress his throat. “Go to sleep, angel. I’ll take care of everything.”

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Day passed to night as the four boys took turns caring for their sick friend. Trowa walked into the room and motioned to Wufei that he would take over. The black haired boy silently stood and left, his white tiger trailing after him. He took his seat by the bed, thinking Quatre was still sleeping. The blond turned to looked at Trowa and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The archer hesitated but then said calmly, “We’re going to try and find the Spring of Life.” He carefully watched the angelic face for his reaction.

Small, clammy hands closed around his as Quatre begged, “Trowa don’t go. Please stay.”

“But-” Large blue eyes welled with tears and trickled down his face as the blond boy pleaded, “Don’t go. It’s too dangerous. No one’s ever found the spring and made it back alive.”

“If we don’t at least try, you’ll die.” Trowa answered.

Quatre buried his face against the archer’s shoulder and cried, “I don’t care! I don’t want anything to happen to you!”

Trowa suddenly snapped. “Do you really want to die?” He shouted. “Fine then, I’ll just stay here and watch you suffer, okay?”

“Trowa, I-” Quatre tried to reach out to him but the taller boy batted him away. He then pushed his chair away and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. “Trowa, come back!” Quatre curled up in a tight ball and sobbed into his pillow. “Trowa…” The boy whimpered softly and fell back into another restless sleep.

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Trowa stomped outside and cursed under his breath. “He doesn’t understand. We’re trying to save him.” HeavyArms growled softly and bumped his head against the boy’s leg. His fit of anger was gone and now guilt was eating at him. “I was too hard on him,” He murmured softly, running his hands through his brown bangs. “He wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Numbly, he wandered back into the house and into the kitchen. Duo handed him a bowl of soup and chirped, “Quatre hasn’t eaten anything all day so I took the liberty to make him something. Just make sure he doesn’t choke on it, ‘kay?” He bounced down the hall, grinning like an idiot.

Trowa stared and smirked, despite himself. “Hn.” He went to their room and knocked on the door.

A faint “Go away,” answered him.

“Quatre, let me in.”

“Leave me alone!”

Trowa was silent before asking quietly, “Do you really want that?”

He thought he heard a muffled sob from the room. He opened the door and slowly approached the bed. Quatre was curled up in a ball with his back to the other boy. The archer set the bowl within reach and said, “Duo made some soup for you.” The small blond never answered him. Trowa felt a sharp twinge of pain as he silently left the room.

The assassin stretched out on a cot and closed his eyes. Trowa regretted losing his temper earlier and regretted his lack of judgement even more when moans sounded from the next room. “Of all the rooms, why does this one have to be next to Heero and Duo’s?” He muttered. To be polite, he tried to put up with the noise but after a while, he decided etiquette be damned and kicked the wall hard enough to make a dent. The moaning stopped and Trowa went to sleep.

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Quatre lay quietly in bed, no longer crying. His gaze went up to the bowl of soup that Trowa had left for him but he wasn’t the least bit hungry. His stomach ached and his head throbbed, making it impossible to see straight. He groaned softly as another jolt of pain ran through his body. Suddenly, he felt worse than ever. He gripped the sheets and prayed that he wouldn’t vomit. His prayer wasn’t answered. “Sandrock,” He whispered hoarsely, “Get Trowa.” The tawny cat raced out of the room in search of the green-eyed youth.

The mage stumbled out of bed and to the door. His legs gave out from under him and as he fell, another wave of pain washed over him. Sweat dripped down his face as he shakily got to his feet. Quatre barely managed to make it outside when he collapsed again.

Spasms wracked his small frame as he threw up, over and over. Even when he had thrown up everything left in his stomach, the spasms wouldn’t stop. He vomited again and a strange metallic taste filled his mouth. Warm, thick liquid dripped down his chin and fell onto the dirt. Slowly, Quatre raised a hand to his face and his fingers came away with blood. It was blood… Another cramp made him double over and more blood and bile spilled onto the ground. He whimpered softly and shut his eyes, wishing for someone, anyone to make the pain go away.

Strong, warm arms wrapped around him and held him tightly. “Quatre? Say something, please. Don’t do this to me.” The blond healer recognized the voice as Trowa’s but he couldn’t answer him. His throat was raw and there was still blood in his mouth. He felt warm lips press against his sweaty brow. The blue-eyed young man felt everything drift away as he lost consciousness. “Quatre? Please wake up. I’m so sorry…”

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Trowa felt a strange gnawing sensation on his arm. He forced his eyes open to find Sandrock biting at him. He stifled a yawn and asked, “What is it, boy? What’s wrong?” Sandrock growled and led Trowa and HeavyArms outside. The brown haired archer ran to the small figure lying in the dirt. Puddles of vomit and blood stained the dirt around them. A thick stream of crimson dribbled from Quatre’s mouth. He cradled the frail body in his arms and whispered, “Quatre? Say something, please. Don’t do this to me.”

The blond youth tried to speak but no sound came out. He brushed a kiss against his forehead and shook the thin shoulders. “Quatre? Please wake up. I’m so sorry, please just open your eyes.” The youth didn’t even stir. Trowa turned to HeavyArms, his heart racing. “Go get Sally again, Sandrock, wake up the others.” The two cats ran off in different directions.

Trowa carried Quatre back into the house and into their room. He wiped the blood away from the angelic face and rinsed the blond’s mouth out with water. Quatre moaned in delirium and whimpered, “Trowa… Trowa, don’t leave…”

“Shh…” He brushed blond strands from the pale face and looked up to hear Duo, Heero, and a cursing Wufei pounding down the hall.

Sally chose that moment to rush in, knocking down the little group standing in front of the door. They went down in a flurry of limbs, paws, and spandex. Trowa raised one eyebrow and stared.

“……..” Sally picked herself up and rushed over to the bed. Her face was grave as she checked his pulse and fever. “He’s gotten worse.”

Trowa’s face was blank but he felt his heart shatter. He immediately turned and left the room.

Wufei turned to Heero. “You know what he’s going to do.” The three boys exchanged a look as the Perfect Soldier said, “Let’s go.”

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Trowa opened the weaponry room and pulled out the three finest crossbows he had. He ran his hands over the sleek weapons, remembering how he had made them himself. The crossbows were incredibly light and durable, made from the strongest and most flexible wood he could find. He could shoot more than twenty yards without trying.

The silent boy then pulled out two longbows. Just like the crossbows, they were made from the same wood and enabled him to shoot with deadly accuracy. Trowa looked around some more and pulled out as many arrows as he could get his hands on. He stuffed them all into his pack and waited patiently for the others.

Meanwhile, Wufei was in his own room, pulling out swords of various lengths. Like the others, he had to make his own weapons and so the handles and blades had been specially designed for him and only him. He ran his thumb over his favorite sword and the blade glistened in the dying moonlight. He fingered the engraved dragon on the hilt and placed it back in its sheath.

Duo picked up a scythe and tested it, swinging it expertly. The blade flashed in the dark, filling the room with light. It was the lightest one he had but he could do the most damage with it. The handle of the staff had several designs carved into it, making it easier to hold it. It was the one he preferred to go into battle with. He swung it again and turned to face Heero, who was busy packing his own things.

Being the Perfect Soldier, Heero had the most variety of weapons. He had several crossbows and swords and even a few daggers lying about. Of course, he wasn’t as skilled with them as Trowa or Wufei or Quatre. His specialty was with spears and lances. He knew a number of ways to kill warrior using only a wooden staff. The spearheads could be taken off and used as daggers or knives if needed. He gripped a lance in his hand and weighed it, feeling the smooth wood slide against his palm. He took the rest of his supplies and followed Duo outside.

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Sally and the four young men stood outside. The sun was already rising, casting a reddish glow everywhere. “Be careful.” She said to them and added, “He doesn’t have much time, so don’t waste any time.” “Wait,” Trowa started back to the house and said, “I want say good bye to Quatre.” When no one objected, he went in.

Just as he thought, Quatre was still asleep. Trowa slowly knelt by his side and gazed at the serene features one last time. The cerulean eyes opened, clear and lucid. “Trowa,” The voice was barely a whisper as Quatre asked, “You’re leaving aren’t you?”

“Yes.” The archer said softly. “I won’t stop you. I’m sorry for what I said and I hope you’ll be safe.” He took off his pendant and held it out to his brown haired lover. “Take this with you. It will keep you safe.” “Oh Quatre…” Trowa enfolded the delicate boy in his arms and held him as tightly as he dared.

The green-eyed assassin didn’t want to let go. He was afraid if he did, he would lose his precious angel. He looked at the blond youth and drank in the cherubic features one last time.

“Promise me you’ll come back.” Quatre’s golden curls spattered over the pillow and felt so soft against his arms. The blond looked just like an angel, sweet and innocent. He pressed one last kiss against his little one’s forehead, feeling long lashes tickle his cheek.

“I’ll come back, my love. I promise.” He reluctantly drew away and placed the pendant around his neck. The sapphire eyes drifted shut as Quatre whispered, “Come back to me…”

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The four warriors departed from Meera. “Take good care of him, Sally!” Duo yelled as they reached the outskirts of the village.

“Where is spring anyway?” Wufei muttered, scratching his head. Heero looked at the ancient map Sally had found for them and pointed at the dark mountain range that loomed above and shielded Meera from the rest of the world. “Let’s go.”

Trowa picked a leaf out of his hair and watched as a swollen river came into view. Heero simply jumped in and started wading across, Wing following after him. Duo took one look at the swirling water and started hopping from rock to rock. Wufei climbed onto Shenlong’s back and the tiger swam across with little trouble. Trowa quickly climbed a tree stretching across the river and somersaulted to the other side. “Duo, hurry up!” Wufei yelled.

“All right already! I’m coming!” Duo’s boots slid on the slippery rocks and he gripped the stone as hard as he could. Before he could move any more, a thick tentacle slid out of the water and latched onto his ankle.

Duo shrieked like a little schoolgirl and hacked at the tentacle with his scythe, completely forgetting any of his training. Another tentacle came out and wrapped around DeathScythe, who started scratching and biting at it. Heero promptly jumped into fray and threw a spear at it. Three more tentacles burst out of the water. An arrow shot through one as Trowa fired one arrow and drew another. A large serpent head surfaced and let loose an earthshaking screech.

A strange green liquid shot from its mouth and narrowly missed Duo, who stared in horror as the rock next to him began to melt. Another stream of acid flew at him but he dodged. He jumped into the air with inhuman strength and hacked off another limb. Still in midair, he saw the head rushing at him. Duo wanted to scream but no sound came out. The serpent suddenly buckled and fell with a loud splat. Wufei stood on the disembodied head, holding a very bloody sword.

The chestnut haired boy rubbed the back of his neck and babbled out, “Well, uh… eh heh heh, thanks Wuffie.”

“Wu-FEI! Kisama!” The two quiet boys standing on the shore sweatdropped mildly and Heero mumbled, “We should keep moving.”

As night fell, the boys eventually had to stop and rest. “How much farther do we have to go?” Wufei asked as he leaned over the fire.

Heero looked at the parchment in his hands and squinted at the weathered text. “Still a long way to go. There’s still the Forest of Illusions and the Moors of Abandon, not to mention the Black Magic Peaks, where the spring supposed to be.”

Trowa looked over Heero’s shoulder and studied the map. “Where in the mountains?”

“There’s a valley in the center and the Spring of Life is said to be there. They say that serpents guard the spring and kill anyone who gets near it.”

“Not a match for Shinigami!” Duo grinned and swung his scythe, just barely missing Trowa’s head.

“Duo?”

“Yes Heero?”

“Go to sleep.”

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Wufei peered around the dark forest. It was unnerving that it could be so silent and empty. “So this is the Forest of Illusions.” Duo mumbled.

“Too quiet,” Heero muttered, “Get ready.” As if on cue, a huge leopard jumped out of the bushes and leaped at the braided boy.

“YAH!” Duo put up his hands to defend himself but the cat went straight through him. “Huh?” The four warriors looked around wildly but the leopard was nowhere to be seen. DeathScythe lifted his nose to air and sniffed but he couldn’t find a scent.

“It was an illusion…” Trowa said softly. Heero looked impassively at the eerily quiet forest. “Stay on guard. Anything could be an illusion.”

Trowa tensed when he heard a rustle by the bushes. An impossible long snake slithered out and hissed at them. Without thinking, he drew an arrow and shot with incredible accuracy. The arrow stuck into the flesh with a sickening crunch and the snake faded away to reveal a rabbit. Duo peered at the dead animal and muttered, “Guess not everything here’s just air.” The archer picked up the rabbit and resumed walking. “We’re having rabbit for dinner.”

Duo chewed on the tip of his braid as he struggled to keep up with his friends. “How much farther, Heero?” The cobalt eyed soldier paused and looked at the map.

“We’ll probably be out of here by tomorrow.”

“Thank the gods… This place gives me the creeps.” The boy known as Death shivered and scooted closer to his panther. “IhatethisplaceIhatethisplaceIhatethisplace.” Little did Duo know that the other three were repeating the same thing over and over in their heads. //By Nataku, This forest is dead, devoid of any life…// //This forest was just like what I used to be, before Quatre…// //Hn… I don’t like it…//

As the day wore on, the forest seemed to grow darker and darker until it was nearly impossible to see even themselves. Needless to say, they were relieved to stop and build a fire. Heero and Wufei skinned the rabbit while Trowa and Duo sat around the fire. Even their feline companions seemed tense and edgy. Wordlessly, they ate and laid down to sleep but they couldn’t. Duo continued to babble on as the three other boys were lost in their thoughts.

Eventually, one by one, sleep claimed the weary young men, all except for one silent soldier. Trowa tossed and turned restlessly in the dark. The blue-green pendant he wore glowed softly as he softly murmured a single name. “Quatre.”

A soft whimper brought him out of his thoughts and he sat up. He could barely make out a small figure huddled by a tree. He froze when a very familiar voice reached his ears.

“Trowa… help me…” In the dying firelight, he could barely make out the angelic features smeared with blood.

“Quatre?” Forgetting about being cautious, he reached out and took the trembling boy into his arms. “Oh gods, what happened to you?” He whispered, his lips brushing against the blood encrusted hair. A small hand drifted up to his lips and brushed lower to his neck.

The hand suddenly tightened around Trowa’s throat, choking him. The green-eyed archer let out a muffled cry as he fell back, the deceptively frail boy strangling the life out of him. //You idiot! It was an illusion and you fell for it! // He screamed at himself as he fought for control. His vision was starting to darken and he had no doubt he would die if he didn’t do something fast.

The other three woke up to find Trowa on his back with someone choking him. Before any of them could react however, a blue-green beam shot out from the pendant, blowing a hole through his assailant. The image flickered away to show a ghostly transparent figure. The spirit let out one last piercing shriek before fading into nothing.

The normally stoic boy stood up, his shoulders heaving. “That’s it. We. Are. Leaving.” The boys decided it would be wise not to argue.

The pendant glowed and cast a blue-green light around the dark wilderness. Oddly enough, Wufei found it strangely comforting. The forest didn’t seem as dark as it had been and there was even a little moonlight. What bothered the swordsman was that there was a thick mist drifting around them. “This must be the Moors of Abandon.” He muttered to himself.

At some point, the mist had become so thick that the young warriors could no longer rely on their vision and had to depend on their cats to lead them through the never-ending abyss. Wufei’s grip on Shenlong’s striped fur never loosened as the four young men wandered blindly through the moors.

Beads of water vapor gleamed in Duo’s hair as he clutched at DeathScythe’s dark fur and stumbled along the sodden earth. “This is as bad as that creepy forest. YAH!” His boots slid in the wet grass as he slipped and fell headfirst into a puddle of mud, grimy water, and whatnot.

The archer, swordsman, and the soldier stared as the self-proclaimed God of Death spat out a mouthful of dirt water and screamed, “I HATE THIS PLACE!!!”