Title: Bewteen Two Worlds
Author: Schnickledooger (me)
Rating: All Audiences
Characters: Wolfram, Gwendal, Conrart, Celi, Waltorana, Surprise Character, (others)
Genre: Family/General
Setting: Pre-war Great Demon Kingdom
Chapters:  5/?
Summary: Young Wolfram’s world is thrown into chaos when his uncle Waltorana attempts to gain his custody from Celi. It grows more hectic when he is kidnapped on top of that and now the stirrings of war are in the air. Brotherly love, defeating the bad guys, you know, the usual routine^^

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 (PT 1) (PT 2)

 

A pair of intense blue eyes observed its targets in silence from the tree above which they were currently passing by. The owner of them had been tracking and watching them closely for awhile now, making sure no sign of him had ever been seen or heard. They were an odd company, traveling through the forest on foot, lightly loaded, and steering clear of clear paths or open spaces. The company consisted of three adults and one child. The blue eyes paid extra special attention to the child…

 

“Valmira, how long am I going to have to carry this runt?” Hughes grumbled as the group wallowed their way through the dense underbrush and thick woods.

 

“What’s the matter, Hughes? A big strapping man like you not strong enough to hold up a measly mazoku brat?” Valmira laughed mockingly back at him from her position up ahead.

 

“It’s.Not.That,” Hughes ground out through his teeth in irritation as Wolfram scored another several swift kicks all along his upper torso, thrown over the man’s broad shoulder as he was. “I’d like to break his legs off! Why can’t we keep him sedated with the houseki stones until we get to Big Cimaron?”

 

“He’s no good to us dead. You saw what a handful of those stones did to His Lordship back there, and that was a full-grown mazoku. The crystals will sap every bit of life the Prince Brat has before we even make it out of this forest if I do what you suggest, then where will our reward money be? Think with your head not with your bruised muscles, Hughes!” Valmira commented, earning an appreciative laugh from Falconer.

 

“Well can’t we at least shut him up? He’s going to bring the entire team of nosy noble mazoku combing the forest straight to us with his loud squawking!” Hughes said scowling as Wolfram drew in a deep breath and then released it with a bloodcurdling shriek.

 

“WHERE’S MY OJIIUE?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?! PUT ME DOWN AT ONCE! I WON’T BE TOUCHED BY FILTHY HUMAN HANDS!!!”

 

Valmira stopped and turned, walking over to where Hughes and his captive were, until she stood nose to nose with a beet-faced Wolfram.

 

“I’d be wise and stow your tongue, brat, unless you want it ripped out. You have two choices: you can be gagged until you almost choke or I can make you so nauseous you couldn’t even manage to whisper. It depends on whether I feel merciful today.” Valmira offered, brandishing her staff threateningly. “I can use a small amount of the crystals’ powers on you for a short time without endangering your life. So which will it be, brat?”

 

“YOU’RE AN UGLY OLD WITCH!!!” Wolfram screamed at the woman and then just for good measure, he threw in an insult he had heard his uncle say about the serving girl back at the tavern. “An empty-headed wench who enjoys spreading her legs!!!”

 

He had no idea what it meant, however it seemed to have scored a solid blow to Valmira’s pride as Hughes and Falconer both sucked in their breath bated and the woman’s face flared up green, red and then purple, before she regained control of her emotions.

 

“Fine, we’ll do this the hard way Your Royal Bratness,” she said pointed her staff at the child’s head and making it glow only once.

 

Even through the painful bouts of nausea he was experiencing and the feeling of his throat being squeezed, Wolfram mustered enough energy to boldly throw up all over the front of Valmira’s robes as a final payback and took pleasure in the woman’s enraged disgusted screeches.

 

From his position in the tree above, Yozak Gurrier chuckled quietly at the kid’s spunk. So this was Conrart’s little brother his friend talked so much about when visiting him. The Wolfram he had heard about had been described somewhat differently. Oh the blond hair and green eyes were correct no doubt, however from the way Conrart had characterized him, Yozak had imagined a perfect angel with adorable ethereal looks and a sweet charming personality that was irresistible. He did recall Conrart remark that Wolfram could be a bit of a handful when he got angry, but seemed to have missed the mark by a few more choice words. From what Yozak was seeing, it looked like his friend’s younger brother was quite the unholy terror.

 

It had been sheer luck-or fate, depending on what one believed in, that he had stumbled across the fallen mazoku trapped within the houseki crystals’ pentagram. He had been on his way home to the village where half-mazoku could live in peace, returning from one of his travels. He did the odd job every now and then; sometimes information was needed and he had a knack for wheedling it out and acquiring it. People tended to let their guard and loosen their tongues around kids. No one ever suspected he was a spy and he had collected a variety of disguises over the years just in case word carried of a kid that fit his description who was always hanging about when gossip or news was shared. Sometimes he did manual labor as well such as helping build structures or aiding farmers drive their herds across the land. Compared to mining esoteric stones from sunup to sundown, his jobs really weren’t that strenuous, and his village needed all the income it could receive for supplies if it was going to continue its existence.

 

Yozak knew immediately what the stones in the pentagram surrounding the man were the minute he set eyes on the scene. He recognized their familiar glow, even if he could not feel their draining power, however from the looks of their victim, it appeared the mazoku could and if he stayed within the entrapment long enough, he would eventually die.

 

Yozak had pondered over why he had been so quick to pick up the houseki crystals and then rush to the inn and bring back help for the man, who was not only mazkou it appeared, but of a high-ranking class, perhaps a noble, one whom it was possible went about slandering half-mazoku and destroying any shred of hope or dignity they may have to join in the Great Demon Kingdom’s society. He was certain if he had been in that situation back in Big Cimaron, with one of his guards from the mines needing aid, he would have left them there to rot. Maybe the Wellers’ ideals and teachings were rubbing off on him. Maybe he had somehow acquired a soft spot for mazoku who at least tolerated half-mazoku instead of outright condemning them for being what they were.

 

He had stayed long enough at the inn to discover who the fallen noble was: Lord Waltorana von Bielefeld, leader of the Ten Aristocrats, who had been apparently heading back to his land with his nephew who was not among the others recovered from the scene. In fact, the small boy was nowhere to be found.

 

Yozak had taken his leave them, the wheels in his head turning. Well, he had rescued a mazoku, an extra unpaid bonus for his recent job. He could just simply return to his village now, however he had his suspicions about who the missing nephew was and if his assumption was correct, then Conrart would never forgive him for deserting his little brother when he had been given ample opportunity to locate the abductors, who no doubt thought they would have a few good hours head start before the search party set out.

 

The kidnappers had been surprisingly more difficult to find than he had given them credit for. They covered their tracks pretty darn well and were especially cautious of obstacles ahead and moving as quietly as possible. It was no wonder they had grown exasperated at the kid’s extreme antics.

 

Yozak debated whether or not it was worth the risk of a swift surprise attack to grab the kid and run away. He doubted he’d escape if he approached them that way though; not when they were awake then. He was fast, but he wasn’t about to see if he could outrun the one called Falconer’s knives or duck the hulking one, Hughes’ gigantic fists. Even if he couldn’t be harmed by the woman’s, Valmira’s houseki staff, he wouldn’t put it pass her to have a couple of dangerous tricks up her sleeve. Besides, the kid looked like he was made out of strong stuff. He was a bit pale and pasty looking from throwing up, but he still managed to keep a sulky glare on his face aimed at his captors.

 

Yozak watched them start off again, only dropping out of the safety of his tree when they were a good distance away, and then settling into a low crouch before silently following, making sure to leave signs of his trail behind for others to spot and pursue.

 

oOoOoOo

 

Valmira sat herself down on the log and wondered on whether or not abducting the mazoku brat and hauling him halfway across the country’s territory had been such a good decision. Not only had it brought practically the entirety of the Great Demon Kingdom’s forces down upon them but the brat still found ways to get under her skin and put new emphasis on the term “demon”.

 

“Are we there yet?”

 

Valmira glared at the small blond who was smirking at her impishly despite his green-ish complexion from being under the houseki crystals’ influence for most of the day. Valmira had relented as everyone had settled down for the night, assuming that the child wouldn’t feel well enough to utter a syllable.

 

The brat had more pluck than she had realized. Now, instead of screaming and carrying on, it appeared the boy had opted on a new tact to rile his captors’ nerves.

 

“Are we there yet?” came the annoying question again.

 

“No,” Valmira bit out, searching through her pack for the dried meat and wishing she could light a fire so she could have some hot stew instead. However that was out of the picture as that would only catch unwanted attention.

 

“Are we there yet?”

 

Valmira stopped her rummaging and glowered at the boy.

 

“Didn’t I just tell you ‘no’?” she snapped out, hearing the irritation in her voice and wishing she hadn’t demonstrated how much the kid was getting to her.

 

“Where are we going?”

 

“None of your business.”

 

“How long will it take to get there?”

 

“That’s none of your business, either.”

 

“Are these two men your pimps?”

 

“Shut up, you damn brat!” Valmira shrieked standing up, her face blazing red with anger and humiliation.

 

Opposite her, Hughes and Falconer guffawed heartily.

 

“Haha, I’m really starting to like this kid,” Falconer chuckled patting Wolfram’s head and pulling his hand away quickly before Wolfram had a chance it bite it.

 

“Think of the money, think of the money,” Valmira chanted to herself as she ran her hands over her face stressed.

 

“You filthy humans are going to get it,” Wolfram said stoutly, crossing his arms over his chest. “My mother’s going to send out the guard and they’re gonna catch you. Then she’ll have them tie to you all to poles and lash you with her whip until your filthy human blood gushes out into pools of blood. And then my Little Big brother is gonna cut off your fingers and toes one by one with his sword before Gwendal will bury you alive with his Earth element. Then I’ll have him unbury you once you’re dead so my Ojiiue can burn your corpses to ash!”

 

“You have a vindictive grim little mind for a runt,” Hughes stated, taking a swig from his canteen.

 

“You’re uncle’s dead, brat,” Valmira said smiling in satisfaction and feeling pleasure as she watched the boy’s eyes grow wide in horror and shock. “I killed him myself and I’ll do the same thing to the rest of your family if they get in my way!”

 

What happened next, no one expected.

 

Wolfram leapt at her screaming bloody murder, his face a mask of unbridled fury and hatred, but most surprising were the flames shooting off from his fingertips and flaring up larger than life…

 

Falconer strode forward swiftly and pinched the same nerve as he had before on the boy’s neck, causing the boy to the fall to the forest floor unconscious, his element dying in the air above him, imprinting bright orange-red colors into the eyes of the trio due to the darkness around them.

 

oOoOoOo

 

Yozak watched the scenario below unfold out, gripping an upper tree branch in amazement and bit of awe when he saw the blond attack his captors and actually summon up quite a good amount of his fire element before he succumbed to unconsciousness.

 

The kid was strong, stronger than he or the captors had realized due to their startled reactions below. To actually find enough energy to use that much maryoku when the houseki crystals had been sapping his power all day…when he grew older, Wolfram would be a very formidable opponent.

 

“You should have knocked him out like that a good while back, Falconer,” Valmira stated, hoping she didn’t appear as flustered as she felt.

 

She had been caught completely unawares and hadn’t even thought to use her staff on the brat. Then again, she had assumed she wouldn’t need to as the mazoku had been subjected to its draining influence for a long while. The woman gripped it firmly now, taking comfort in feeling its familiar presence in her hands.

 

“Sorry, I didn’t want to stop all the fun,” Falconer said, grinning lop-sided, referring to Wolfram’s game of toying with Valmira’s nerves.

 

“Think anyone heard His Royal Bratness scream?” Valmira asked.

 

“Well, we sure did,” came a new voice from the trees directly behind the trio.

 

Valmira whirled about, her staff pointed in front of her aggressively and the stone on top glowing threateningly. Beside her, Hughes and Falconer too up a similar stance with their weapons.

 

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” the woman demanded.

 

“Calm down, it’s only me. And you should be grateful for that,” said the voice as its owner stepped out from the shadows and into the crystal’s light.

 

It was a man with olive green hair pulled back into a ponytail, dressed in forester clothes and a rug sack slung over one shoulder.

 

“Brackus!” Valmira exclaimed with relief and surprise, recognizing the figure and lowering her staff. “What are you doing out here in the Great Demon Kingdom?”

 

“I could ask you the same question and more,” Brackus stated, lowering his rug sack to the ground. “Why is half the Demon Army combing these woods, why did you leave an obvious miles long trail behind you and who is the kid with you?”

 

“What are you talking about? We covered our tracks very well and this kid is none of your concern,” Valmira spoke, motioning to Hughes to pick Wolfram up.

 

“Not that kid,” Brackus said, his face like stone, “the one who’s eavesdropping above.”

 

Oh damn! Was all the coherent thought Yozak had time for before a figure unbeknownst to him on his left jumped at him and tackled him out of the tree to the forest floor below.

 

Before he even had time to blink, Yozak found himself face down in the dirt, his hands tied behind his back and his legs as well with the wind momentarily knocked out of him.

 

“Good work, Dart,” he heard the man called Brackus say above him and Yozak lifted his head to view the person who had gotten the better of him.

 

He watched as a slighter man with spiked grayish-brown hair wearing camouflage walked-no, more like slinked-over to where Brackus stood and remained silent.

 

“What-what-!” Valmira sputtered, pointing at Yozak in alarm.

 

“You have the Great Demon Army half a day behind you, Valmira,” Brackus explained, eyes narrowed showing his displeasure. “If you had stayed where you are now, you would have them stumble upon you by morning. You may have covered your tracks, but this kid here-” the man nudged Yozak with his boot “-left quite a trail of bread crumbs for them to follow. I don’t know what you did to piss the mazoku off, but if it has something to do with that blond limpet over there, you could have had the decency to deal with your own problem instead of dragging Lord Jass into your mess.”

 

“What?” Valmira said, her face displaying a mixture of bewilderment, anxiety and frustration. “Jass? What’s he got to do with anything? The last I heard of him, he got cornered and gutted by Svelera’s guard.”

 

“That’s the story he wanted everyone to think,” Brackus said. “He’s alive and he’s got a profitable business running…and now thanks to you and your blundering, you put it all in jeopardy.”

 

“I don’t have the faintest idea of what you’re talking about, Brackus. You better explain the facts fast. We don’t have time to share our past wandering stories if the Great Demon Army really is right behind us like you say,” Valmira retorted looking extremely suspicious.

 

“You won’t make it if you try and outrun them,” Brackus proclaimed, shrugging offhandedly. “It’s a mass force and they’re on horses, a commodity I note that you’re lacking.”

 

“Told ya we should have kept them beasts of that aristocrat instead of turning them loose,” Hughes grumbled, looking gypped.

 

“Shut up, lubber-lip,” Valmira hissed, not wanting to reveal any more information than necessary.

 

“Well, since you have unwittingly lured the Demon Army right to Jass’ front door step, I think it’s only fair you pay him a visit and give him a head’s up about his forthcoming guests,” Brackus remarked picking up hid rug sack and throwing it over his shoulder.

 

“Are you trying to intimidate me, you washed up mercenary?” Valmira inquired, arching her eyebrows incredulously. “Even if I had some shred of intuition of why keep dragging Jass into the equation, what makes you think we would do anything you say? Are you planning on brute force?”

 

Hughes and Falconer brandished their weapons in warning and behind Brackus, in the shadows, Dart pulled something halfway out of his clothing which glinted silver in the crystal’s light.

 

Maybe if I’m lucky they’ll all kill each other in a crossfire, Yozak thought from his position in the ground.

 

“Oh I think you’ll come of your own accord, especially when it’s to a location that will keep the Demon forces at bay long enough for you to slip away. Jass meant to engage the mazoku in a little bit of sparring anyway. All you three did was up the timing and place for him. Of course, you’ll have to let him know what sort of game you are playing at. Protection doesn’t come free, after all. Sound tempting yet?” Brackus asked.

 

“Let’s go with his suggestion, Valmira. I don’t want to end up as a skin on the wall for some demons all because you became blinded with greed and strayed from the original plan,” Falconer spoke up, voicing his opinion.

 

“The runt’s brought us nothing but trouble,” Hughes put in.

 

“I don’t recall you or Hughes complaining before, you turncoats,” Valmira snapped testily, before turning back to Brackus and relenting. “Fine. I’m listening. Where is this ideal location?”

 

Brackus grinned, his teeth flashing white in the darkness, “Just a through the woods behind me and between two hills. It’s a wonder you didn’t trip over it, though I guarantee you, the Demon Army won’t be as distracted as you three goons tomorrow. Follow me.”

 

Hughes growled low in his throat at the insult.

 

“Just a minute. I want to deal with the little rat that’s been tailing us,” Valmira stated, whirling on Yozak with an aura of vengeful fury, jabbing the end of her staff until the houseki crystals were almost touching the boy’s face. “This is what you get for poking your nose into other people’s business, vermin. When the cavalry reaches the end of your happy trail, all they find are your remains.”

 

The crystals began to glow and Yozak wondered when the woman realized they weren’t working on him, if she would resort to messier, painful measures to finish him.

 

“Stop. The rat’s ours. We noticed him. We caught him. We decide his fate,” Brackus stated, snapping his fingers.

 

Yozak found himself picked up from the ground and hoisted over the man called Dart’s shoulders where he hung like a sack of grain.

 

“You’re not going soft now that you’ve retired from your merc days I hope, Brackus,” Valmira said, sneeringly.

 

“I just think Lord Jass would be interested in seeing him, that’s all,” Brackus said and starting forward, he called over his shoulder, “And I’m not as retired as you think.”

 

From his position looking backward, Yozak watched Hughes sling the still unconscious Wolfram over his shoulder similarly. Falconer smiled grimly when he saw the boy observing them, drew his knife across his throat and pointed at him in indication; and by the icy glare Valmira was giving him, he could tell the woman had no qualms about plotting a convenient “accident” for him.

 

Well, looks like you’ve really stepped into this time, Gurrier, Yozak thought, not sure whether to laugh or curse at himself for ending up in his current predicament.

 

He only hoped Brackus was right in his prediction of the Demon Army finding this Lord Jass’s place by tomorrow sometime. He highly doubted he’d live longer than that. Who knew that his friend’s little brother could cause so much trouble?

 

 Conrart, you owe me big time for this.

 
To Be Continued...

A/N: (finishes playing game of Solitare; looks at chapter again) Hmmm, this was supposed to be the last chapter but as you can see, my muse finally woke up, got carried away with the plot and now there are too many things to fit into the final chapter and who knows how long it will take me to write the rest of the scenario I have dancing around in my head. It’s already long, plus I made you guys wait two months for this so I won’t punish you anymore :cries: Sorry! So what did you think of the newest development? Yes, Brackus and Dart are my own characters like Valmira, Hughes and Falconer. Who is this Jass person and what did Brackus mean when he said “Jass meant to engage the mazoku in a little bit of sparring anyway”?

 

Next chapter will have us meet Jass himself, his domain, and his plans unveiled. What will happen to Yozak and Wolfram? Only I know that…hehehehe! It’d make me extremely happy if you reviewed, especially when you tell me your favorite parts, and it inspires me to write faster! (That and I’m afraid Conrad and everyone is going to be after my hide if I don’t allow them to rescue Wolfram soon…help!)