Author: Lyndaura

Authors Notes: Well, I have no idea what I am doing. I hope this makes sense. And, I hope I got the conflict in there okay, and I know you are wondering about all the other bad stuff, but I'm getting to that, okay? Just give me time. Okay? ^_^ Remember, I am still looking for comments on whether I should kill Relena or not. Add your votes quickly; if I am going to kill her, it is going to be soon! There is supposed to be some romance, but barely any, expect more from the next chapter. Oh, and if you have any other suggestions for the plot, e-mail me! I'm flexible.
Special Mention: KAYLEY! I wouldn't be able to do this without her! She was so good and came to my rescue when I was at my writer's block. Thank you so much! Everyone thank Kayley and give her an inter-dimensional HUG! YAY! ^_~ Well, also thanks to Tiff (aka Smoke and Mirrors, go read her stuff now!) and Steph (thanks for working so hard!) and Lena (luv you lots!) and of course Ruby and Laura, thank you guys for reading my stuff! I can't believe you guys actually liked it! Well, I think that's it. Enjoy! ^_^

~Two Worlds - Part 8~
Mark of the Demon

Quatre shot up into the cool midnight air. The dew clung to his hands bringing sweet coolness. The dampness in the air began to condensate on Quatre's burning head. Quatre searched for a moment, disoriented as to what awoke him. In an instance, he felt it. He looked over to Heero as the power pulsated around him. Whatever had happened to Heero, he now possessed a power that could challenge even Katara. Quatre focused a little more and found that the power was slowly growing.

Quatre was immediately concerned as to what had transgressed to account for this outcome. Slowly, sweat beaded on Heero's forehead as his erratic breathing slowed to a mild pace and his flushed cheeks resumed their regular colouration. Quatre breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived as his 'space heart' cried out in pain as Katara moaned in her slumber.

Katara was in utmost pain and Quatre couldn't figure out why. Something was wrong with both of them that was not making itself known to Quatre. Quatre sighed and tried to lie back down, but then he noticed that Sage was also awake, gazing at the starlight
above. Quatre decided it best not to disturb the pondering fairy, but instead he resorted to
try to pursue sleep, but as expected it eluded him another night……




Heero felt himself slip slowly back into consciousness. The world around him seemed to reveal itself in a new dimension. Heero was aware of the depth and detail of everything around him without evening opening his eyes. The awareness of everything around him stretched far beyond the physical aspect though, still with his eyes shut, he could feel out where everyone was.

Sage was laying farthest to the left. Still in deep slumber, he could sense an inner hate that was not her own. Her ancestors? But the rage and hate was a consuming fire that only burned stronger with each passing moment, what could she have done to provoke such feelings from her own family? The guilt that clouded her mind seemed to put a dark cloud over every thought, and stole whatever happiness or pleasure she had. The dark interior startled Heero, if not disturbed him. He knew the feeling of hatred of someone else. It hung over your head and ate away at your soul till it drove you insane. Heero had long since stopped noticing, but the eerie sensation was still recognizable.

Katara was sleeping steadily next to Sage. Her mind was at peace. Heero delved into her mind, searching and appreciating the calmness compared to Sage. Heero didn't want to see the images that were in the deepest depths of Sage's mind. It took Heero only a moment or two to realize that Emily was in control, and not Katara. As Heero explored the inner workings of her mind, he was startled to find that she was worrying about him! Another surprise lay ahead of him as he realized that she was concerned because she had been in his soul. Peace was Katara, and the angle at the end of his journey was Emily.

Heero stopped searching her mind and opened his eyes. The effect was amazing as his vision was crystal clear, and his mind was ever aware of everything around him. He could visually see twice as far, and mentally he was aware for miles further than that. He knew every detail of every leaf on every tree, as he was able to examine every aspect of it from miles away. It was like an overload of data as he tried to compile it all. It was an overwhelming experience, but he was quickly becoming accustomed to it.

Heero felt a twist of jealousy as Emily rolled over in her sleep and clutched at Luke's stomach, wrapping her arm snugly around his waist. Luke didn't seem to mind, and almost expected it. Luke only continued to cook the last of the fish roasting over the crackling fire, as sparks danced before Heero.

Just as Heero was about to dive into Luke's mind, Heero saw a flash back from long ago. He only guessed it was the first time that Katara had snuggled up to him in her sleep. She had clutched at him in the fit of a horrible nightmare, and Luke had spent the next three hours lightly brushing her hair and holding her as she had recovered.

Heero suddenly stopped himself and wondered why he was feeling such emotions? He was not supposed to feel for her. He wasn't supposed to feel for anyone. And yet he seemed to have this inseparable bond to her. She had seen his soul, she knew everything about him, they had shared a harrowing experience together, and she had saved him. She had risked her life for him, and she had comforted him. She was there for him when he really need it. She cared for him as a person, and saw him as no one else had seen him. But after all he had done, could she ever feel for a monster like him?

The pain stung more than Heero was able to handle and he moved on to the next person, not bothering to see into Luke's mind. He wasn't sure he wanted to see what experiences Luke had had with Katara.

Duo was next to Luke, eagerly watching to simmer fish. His eyes danced with delight as the smell of the food drifted towards him, carried by the soft breeze that swept by them. Heero was instantly entranced. Every movement of Duo was so swift and agile. His grace astounded Heero now, he had never really noticed it before. He had known of Duo's abilities, and he examined every aspect of Duo as his routine evaluation of his comrades, but he had never really seen Duo in this light.

He never saw the way his braid moved with Duo like a fifth limb, or the way his smile made his cheeks redden a slight bit, or the way his eyes viewed everything with the fascination of a child, or the way he put his hands behind his head as habit. Heero never saw the beauty and elegance in every movement of Duo. Heero merely touched the surface of Duo's mind and was shocked at his findings.

The darkness that seemed to permeate every part of his mind, and taint everything was disturbing to say the least. The hate that burned in his soul was reflected in his fascination with Death. Heero was morbidly interested in what else Duo had to offer. The events of the Maxwell church, and even Solo had been a mystery to Heero, but now he knew every detail. And he was just on the surface, what else was in Duo's mind……

Heero was suddenly thrown out of Duo's mind as the sickening images of demonic control and the delight of Death that cast Duo into a frenzy overwhelmed Heero. It was no longer just facts, he had hit the feeling, the anger, the rage, and obsession that drove Duo. Duo's darker convictions was enough to overcome Heero. The feelings that Duo had were too much for his unprotected soul. Heero tried to go deeper again, and push his limits, but almost as a safety control, Heero found that his focus was altered.

Heero saw his friend in new light and couldn't help but be interested, fascinated and consumed with his mind. He related in a way, but it was so new, and different, and surprising. Heero was never surprised anymore and the effect was hypnotic. It was thrilling to be in Duo's mind.

Quatre lay wiped at his tired eyes as Heero tried to search his mind, but it seemed closed to him. Quatre wasn't letting him in. Did Quatre know? Heero supposed that it was possible, he didn't know the extent to Quatre's powers or abilities and it was quite possible. Heero decided that he didn't want to explore Quatre any further and moved onto Trowa.

Trowa's mind was like a locked door, though Heero was able to see into it, the missing pieces were making his analysis difficult. But the peacefulness around him was amazingly calming. It was good that Quatre hung around him, and he could see why Trowa liked to be around Quatre. They were a pair made in heaven. The thought made Heero laugh. He didn't believe in God. He couldn't. Could he? Heero didn't want to focus on the scientific debate and focused back on Trowa. He decided that if memories were not the way to figure Trowa out, then feelings were.

The yearning inside him was amazing. He needed and craved the discipline of the army, but more so, the relationship that he had with his comrades. He wanted the respect, dignity and trust that they had. Heero felt a sharp pain in his head. Trowa didn't have trust in his old comrades, and Heero could feel the difficulty in trusting again. But Trowa had been successful. Heero searched further to try to comprehend why he had such difficulty trusting others.

The image of him as such a young child killing his comrades was painfully familiar. Heero immediately stopped searching. But Trowa was still searching. He was searching for a place to belong. He was alone in the world, betrayed by the only family he knew, constantly reminded that his real family was forever lost to him because he couldn't remember them. The self-blame was almost incomprehensible. The need for acceptance and the torture of being alone in the world was overwhelming for anyone. Yet Trowa had still survived. His suffering in loneliness was amazingly concealed from everyone by following instructions exactly. That was one thing that a soldier benefited from. He always just had to follow the orders and he could never be blamed. Perhaps that was why Trowa admired Heero. Heero shook his head softly. No one should look up to him.

Heero felt the longing and the emptiness in Trowa and wished that he could take it away. Trowa didn't deserve what he was dealt. Heero deserved it. He deserved everything that he got. But Trowa didn't. Trowa was good at heart and just wished the best for the world. Heero had only caused destruction and mayhem. He didn't want Trowa to be alone. Sometimes, being alone was the worst torture in the world.

Suddenly, Heero couldn't stand to be in Trowa's mind anymore and forced himself stop. Heero having completed his evaluation, turned next to Wufei. He was surprised to see the diversity of Wufei's mind. Although Wufei was an outright sexiest, he still had high respect for women. Heero saw the memories of his wife, and the odd, but pleasant relationship that the arranged marriage had presented. He saw the sadness in Wufei at his loss, and he saw the burning need for justice, justice for his wife, justice for him, and for his colony. The fighters spirit inside of him impressed Heero. His dedication was something that no one had ever questioned, but now Heero knew why. His solitary was not something that anyone truly ever focused on. Everyone assumed that it was a preference, but Heero now saw that Wufei viewed it more as a dependency. Heero could understand, betrayal was something constantly on Heero's mind, but now he saw that his concerns were unfounded as he saw the bond and trust that the five of them had created.

What everything came down to was that everyone fought for something. Duo's was vengeance and Death, a motivating factor as any. Trowa's was for a place, a family, such a need not being fulfilled would drive anyone to do the things that Trowa was capable. Quatre's was love. It was something that he constantly spoke of, and something that he felt passionately for, Heero didn't need to read his mind to know that. Wufei's was for justice and strength, something that he had been raised by, and had dedicated his whole life too.

And Heero?

He was fighting for Peace.

But he wasn't successful. All he caused was pain and death. He had succeeded in his mission for Peace, but the mode in which he achieved the outcome was not optimal. In Heero's mind, he had failed. He. Had. Failed.

Heero fought back the feelings as he mentally called out for the peace that had been shown to him in his soul. He needed it more than anything else right then. The powers, the information, the new data, it all needed to be processed and assimilated. He had overwhelmed his mind and he needed time to adapt to it.

Suddenly Heero felt the calmness that he had once experienced as everything numbed out, and he was just surrounded by calm. The serenity was relaxing as he took a moment to catch his breath. He had pushed his limits and had gone too far. Heero would have scorned himself for pushing himself too far, endangering himself for an inappropriate reason, but he was in a state of euphoria, and scolding himself could wait.

Luke suddenly looked at Heero oddly, and Quatre also looked at Heero as Heero stared into the burning embers. The other three sat unknowingly to Luke and Quatre's concern. Heero was too occupied to notice though. Luke turned to Quatre and asked the question with his eyes.

//It happened last night. I'm not sure how though. //

// So I see you have learned how to send mental messages. You are learning quickly Quatre. What about Katara? She seems unstable. //

//Her energy has been unstable throughout the night, at the same time as Heero, but she seems to be doing better now. //

//Good, I can't stand to have anything more happen to her.//

//You really love her don't you? //

//More than words could say. //

// Why? //

There was a slight pause in the conversation and Luke looked down at the girl in his arms. He didn't know why he loved her. It seemed so natural to him, but he had never really searched for a reason behind his emotion. Luke shook his head.

// I don't know. I just do. //

// Sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to know what attracted you to her. I only realized how you might take my statement after I said it. //

// Its okay, I understand. The great part about mental conversations is that you can almost get a feeling or thought behind the message. //

The words rung in Quatre's mind, and he knew that it was true. With the words came a purpose, or intent with them. Quatre ended the conversation and returned his attention to Heero who was now almost in a state of shock, his pupils were dilated and his breathing was slightly erratic. Quatre sighed and leaned back trying to clear his mind of everything around him, but to no avail.

Luke finally pried himself away from Heero to start to talk to Trowa about tactical techniques to apply to their current situation. Duo felt compelled to smile at the sight of Trowa actually speaking. He was obviously using as little words as possible, but he actually looked interested which was a facial expression that looked foreign on Trowa. ANY facial expression looked foreign on Trowa.

Heero was just starting to enjoy his peace when suddenly Sage shot up from her steady slumber screaming.

"Sage!" Luke scrambled towards her.

"Shh! Calm down, its okay now," Emily quickly shot up and wrapped her arms around the frantic girl. The action familiar as Heero longed for the same touch that he had felt in his soul, the same touch shared between the two when they had forged an inexplicable bond, only created through such intense situations, and when such intimate details, as what was in his soul, were disclosed.

But despite Emily's efforts, Sage wouldn't calm herself and the peaceful aura around Heero dissipated and he was thrown into chaos.

The screaming.

He could feel his blood boiling with fear and anxiety as the memories from his soul came flooding back. He had tried to kill himself, he had almost shot himself. He had killed his friends, he had nearly drowned in his own blood, and he had nearly died. The screaming was so familiar now. Her screams were so much like the intolerable screams that had haunted him the whole way through his soul.

Heero tried to block out the sound. He couldn't stand to even look at Sage as she began to sob. Heero turned his attention to his friends, but was only met with a revolting shock.

As he looked to Duo, he saw only black and red smoldering flesh as smoke curled up from him. Heero swallowed as he could barely pry his eyes from the horrid sight. Duo slowly turned his neck to look at the disturbed Heero and cocked his head oddly. His burnt hair sizzled and cracked with every movement.

"Yo, Heero, you okay buddy?" Duo asked cracking his devilish smile, though Heero could sense inside that Duo was worried beyond belief. But Duo didn't know anything, he didn't know what Heero was seeing, or what he went through that was causing him to want to scream like Sage was now.

Heero finally had to look away to avoid retching. As he turned his attention to Trowa he saw the dismembered and mutilated corpse and knew what the others would look like too. He tried to convince himself that it was all a hallucination, and that it was all in his head, but his head produced pretty damn good illusions as the blood dripped in a steady and viscous fashion from Trowa's missing eye.

Heero had to get up and get away from everything. The screaming echoed in his head and he couldn't take much more of this before he went insane.

I'm already insane. Heero thought dryly.

Heero got up and walked away just in time to hear Duo call out to him, "Hey! Where ya going?"

"Get some air," Heero answered in remarkable calmness, though everything inside him was screaming desperately with pain and disbelief as the thoughts of dead friends and screaming fairies with dead families clouded his mind.

Heero didn't know where he was going; he just needed to get away from the hurt and the pain. He couldn't stand to hear Sage screaming. It would just remind him of how he was screaming inside too. Everyone was screaming inside though.

Heero passed by gradually increasing trees as he entered a small forest. After about two minutes of walking into the forest, he could sense a small stream nearby. Heero took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Unfortunately, with that deep breath, he took in a lot of pollen. Heero could feel the sneeze building up. He never sneezed often. He couldn't even remembered the last time he had sneezed.

It finally came out after an aggravating moment. Heero felt the forcefulness and something happened in his body that he never remembered associating with sneezing. It was as if everything in his body, and his mind and his very soul clenched and contracted, but as it did so, something more than just a sneeze came out. It was like pushing out a huge lump in his body. He didn't know what the burden was at first, but he could feel the substance going out everywhere around him.

In the split second that he sneezed he heard a loud noise, like a building blowing up, but in a smaller intensity. Heero looked to his side and saw the remains of what was once a tree. He looked at the scatter debris of splintered wood and was at a loss for feelings.

He had just blown up a tree.

Meanwhile, back at the camp everyone was just starting to calm down from Sage's episode.

"How are you feeling now?" Emily asked gently as she rocked Sage back and forth like a child.

Sage sniffed a little and then wiped at her eyes. She finally sighed and spoke, "Alone. Very, very alone."

"It's okay, I'm here, I'll always be here," Emily stroked Sage's hair.

"You and I both know that that's a lie," Sage whispered so only Emily could hear.

"I know, but you don't need to think about that. Just pretend for now. Because you know that I will be here for as long as I can, and I won't leave your side, even after, I will still be with you," Emily kissed the top of Sage's head as she whispered the words so Luke wouldn't hear them.

"When are you going to tell him?" Sage asked as she repositioned her head so she was looking straight up at Emily.

Emily smiled, "Never, he'll find out when he does. I mean, he's Luke! He'll just fuss and worry. If I tell him I'll give him an ulcer," Emily smiled and laughed a little. Sage didn't know how Emily could be so kind and caring, especially given the circumstances.

"Too late," Sage eyed the man as he looked worriedly at Sage and Emily. Emily started laughing heartily as she saw how Luke was reacting to their private conversation. Luke went from worried too offended and confused in a split second.

Just as Emily had begun to relax she felt a wave of energy overcome her. Sage, Luke and Quatre looked over in the direction that it came from just in time to hear a loud explosion. Luke looked to Emily.

"Sage, is it okay if I go check it out?" Emily clutched Sage extra tight. Sage reluctantly nodded. She didn't want to leave Emily's warm and safe embrace, but she didn't deserve it, and she didn't want to be selfish with Emily's last days. She could feel the hatred of her mother and her ancestors burning deep within her. She would have to live with that hate for the rest of her life and she didn't know if she could take it.

Trowa, Duo and Wufei looked at each other in confusion. Not knowing that there was a huge energy surge had overcome them they had no idea what had caused the explosion. Emily gently disentangled herself from Sage and went to see what Heero had done.



Heero leaned up against a tree that had not been disintegrated and sighed. He was so lost. He just wanted Emily to be there with him and help him. He needed instructions, he needed a purpose, he needed something to occupy him, but all he was left to do was to contemplate the events.

Heero heard a cracking noise echo through the woods. As he turned to see what it was, he saw Emily standing on the other side of the water smiling back at him. How did she know he was here? Heero shrugged and stood up.

She was so beautiful.

"Heero!" Emily called, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you, are you okay?" Emily stepped into the water and started to cross.

"I'm fine," Heero called back mono-toned, but grateful for her concern.

Emily smiled back at the confirmation of his well-being and as her skirt floated up around her. Heero eyed it lustfully. He stopped himself immediately and began to wonder why he was finding her every movement so erotic. He tried to control his thoughts as her graceful and elegant movements drew him into her.

Suddenly and without warning she looked down at her legs through the waist deep water rushing past her. She suddenly began to struggle and scream as the water around her boiled. Heero could feel his body starting to contract again. It was like his mind, soul and body were flexing at the same time, trying to rid himself of some unimaginable force.

The screaming was intolerable. The horrid, blood curdling cry pierced through Heero like a bullet as he tried to control himself, but everything around him was blurring and his head throbbed in pain.

He had to save Emily. No matter what, he had to help her.

Emily started sinking as the steam rose around her. Her face contorting to show the agony and pain she was enduring. Heero rushed out to the waters edge, still clenching everything inside involuntarily.

As soon as his shoe made contact with the water, he felt it burn through his shoe. He jumped back and saw the black marks on his show. The sight was unexpected as he saw Emily's hand reach out towards him as she tried to keep her head above the deadly water, blisters coating every inch of her body. Her pained face was swelling as the redness deepened, and her pupils dilated in shock.

Heero reached out to her with his mind, hoping for a miracle that he might be able to save the object of his affection, but as she sank below the surface, he was forced to realize that she was dead. If his shoe had melted and burned at the waters edge, she was beyond help. Heero didn't know what to do as he head swam in shock. The fact didn't settle in for a moment, until her hand never reappeared and Heero was forced to assimilate the information.

Emily was dead.

~End Part 8~

Author's Notes: I'm writing a sequel to Two Worlds. I know, a little quick aren't I? But I can't help it. Vote to kill Relena. I hated this one so much. Please, more people comment on my stuff! Thank you. Enjoy chapter 9 coming VERY soon!

I make myself laugh.

~Lyndaura~

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