Monday, September 22, 2014

Accidental Demon Slayers: Melody of Light pt. 17


Kurt didn’t even realize that he had drifted off to sleep, but suddenly he found himself sitting in the Japanese garden.  Doctore sat across from him, his face tight with worry. 

“How did…” Kurt shook his head, unsure of how he had gotten there.  A moment ago he had been wide awake and getting ready to go down to the pool to meet Clare and Bobby, and the next he was back in the Mind Scape.

“I pulled you here.” Doctore nodded his head.  “I don’t like doing it, but I felt I had no choice.” 

The worry in Doctore’s voice sent a chill down Kurt’s spine. 

Usually the old man was warm, maybe a little distant, but there was always a faint, playful smile on his lips.  Now, though, he looked older, more worn. 

“What’s going on?”  Kurt stood, and was still surprised when he felt the blades of grass under his palms.  As much as he trained, he wasn’t entirely adjusted to the way his senses worked within his Mind Scape. 

“Something has been released.” Doctore’s old, red-rimmed eyes followed him.  “Something very powerful.”

“Aren’t they always?”  Kurt held back a laugh.  He knew the situation was serious, but serious situations came with his every day life.  “Let me guess, Max and his crew did something they shouldn’t have.” 

“You’ve grown jaded.”  He shook his head.  “I know you have been through a great deal, but Kurt, you need to understand that each threat brings a new set of challenges.” 

Kurt sighed, turning towards the small pond in the center of the garden.  A large koi swam past quickly, and then hid under some rocks.  He wished he could hide.  He wished he and Bobby could just escape one threat.  Just this once. 

“What is it?” Kurt turned towards his inner deity.  “What’s the new threat?” 

“It is not demonic by nature, although it does harbor the powers of the dark ones.”  Doctore stood, moving with an ease that seemed at odds with his elderly appearance.  “I believe she is the legend the islanders speak of.” 

“The witch?” Kurt shook his head.  “She’s dead.” 

For the first time during their visit Doctore smiled, but its presence did not ease the worry growing in Kurt’s mind. 

“Death means very little in our world, you know that.”  The old man walked towards the pond, his steps strong and smooth.  “For now she is weak, but like any villain in one of our adventures, she aims to grow stronger.” 

“You speak like you’ve been through more than you actually have.”  Kurt knelt down, picking up a pebble and tossing it into the pond.  It skipped across the water, finally sinking with a loud thunk.

“Just because you were not aware of me does not mean I have not been with you from the beginning.” The old man placed a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “Tabitha and I did not become fully formed until your last battle, but we have been with you.  Some part of us has always been inside of you.  We are not just creations that you have been gifted with.  We are a part of you, connected to your very soul.” 

“After everything we learned about the Scribes and the Nameless, and how they just seem to be making this up as they go, I find that hard to believe.”  Kurt couldn’t hide his disappointment anymore. 

“From your inception, we are there.  Our potential is inside of you.” Doctore turned Kurt towards him, their eyes meeting.  “Even Bobby and Juktha were destined.  Their connection was made even before he went down into the basement of that chapel.” 

“So, it’s our destiny to never have a moment of peace?” The anger crept into his voice.  He couldn’t control it, not anymore.  “This was supposed to be our time.  Just us, together, like a normal couple. Is it too much to ask for?”

Doctore didn’t speak.  He just wrapped his arms around Kurt, pulling him close; embracing him like a father would his child.  “Enjoy the peace while you can, because the darkness will always be near by.” 

Slowly the Japanese Garden faded from Kurt’s view, and was replaced by his darkened hotel room.

He sat up, and could feel the hot streak of tears on his cheeks, and that anger, that familiar bitterness welling up inside of him still. 

The hotel room door opened, letting light and music spill into the room. Standing in the doorway, a silhouette.  Bobby was looking at him.  As he walked closer, Kurt could see his smile. 

“You take a nap?” Bobby sat down on the bed next to him, setting his towel on the floor.  He was looking closer now.  Kurt knew he could see the tears.  “You okay?” 

Should he tell him?  He would find out soon enough.  The smile on Bobby’s face began to slip away, replaced by that familiar look of worry. 

“I’m fine.”  Kurt laughed, wiping at his cheeks.  “Just a bad dream.” 

“How can you have nightmares in a place like this?”  He laughed and kissed the tip of Kurt’s nose.  “Come on, the Aria concert starts soon, I want to get good seats.”  Bobby grabbed Kurt’s hand, pulling him to his feet, and towards the bathroom.  “First, I need a shower.” 

“And you need me for this, why?” Kurt pushed his conversation with Doctore from his mind.  He let a bit of playfulness creep in, and a coy smile. 

“Do you really need to ask?”  He kissed him. 

“Enjoy the peace while you can…” Doctore’s voice repeated in his head.

He kissed his boyfriend back, and let him lead the way.  

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