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Minako lay on the cold ground, her hands still shaking weakly as she reached toward the bushes and trees where the child and the demon had disappeared. Just within reach… He had been just within reach and I let him escape… The very last one… AJ... Tears poured down Minako’s cheeks. “Come back…” she whispered, “Come back… AJ...”

Nick held her shoulders as his eyes brimmed with concern. As we near more of us, her convulsions get more violent. The very last one is filling her heart with pain and shattering it on the ground. If only he had listened to her, then we could be headed toward the box, toward the end of this nightmare. And her heart would be safe. Nick started to pull Minako into his arms, but as he reached his arms toward her, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. He winced and put his hand to it. He pulled the hand up slowly -- it was stained a dark red. He took a deep swallow and sat down next to her, then let out a small growl. This wound… That last battle had reopened it… Nick narrowed his eyes. That great demon general and that cloaked figure, how dare they haunt me…

“Nick!” Brian ran toward them, then skidded to a stop. Howie and Kevin followed closely behind him.

Nick looked up at them and put his hand to his chest. It’s no good… I’m not getting enough air.... He put his hand back to the open wound and winced again as he attempted to breathe deeply. Maybe they won’t notice.

“What happened?!” Brian kneeled next to them and gripped Nick’s shoulder.

Nick winced again, “The child… returned to his home… with the… last one…”

“The last what?” Howie questioned as he kneeled down as well.

“Our demon…” Nick took a hard swallow, “He was… right here…” Nick clenched his abdomen tightly. “We were… almost together…”

Kevin kneeled down, “Move your hand Nick.”

Nick laughed, “It’s just… a little scratch… I’ll… be fine…”

Kevin grabbed hold of Nick’s hand forcefully, the fresh blood dripped down his wrist and splattered on the ground. “Just a scratch?” Kevin scoffed as he dropped the bloody hand into Nick’s lap, his stern stare piercing through Nick’s heart.

“Kevin?” Brian questioned.

Kevin wiped his hand on the ground, smearing the blood on the grass. He then reached into his tunic and pulled a cloth and the salve from inside. He let out a short sigh as he wiped his hand, “I’m not sure what to do… Leaving Nick this way is a liability, but… If I try to use my power too quickly, it may put me out of commission in addition to not healing Nick properly…” He put the cloth and salve away, then crossed his arms, “So either way we may be at an inconvenience….”

Nick pulled Minako into his lap and leaned on her head as he slowly untied the ribbon from her wrist. He then untied it from his own wrist and held it in his hand as he tried to stand while holding Minako tightly. His legs shook and he groaned as he grabbed his abdomen.

“Nick!” Brian gripped Nick’s shoulders.

Nick snorted, “Don’t worry… about it… I’ve had worse…” He embraced Minako tightly, “Minako… I’ll go… and get… him… for you...”

Minako gripped his tunic. “But Nick… You’re...”
He wrapped the sash around his waist and tied it into a knot, wincing as it brushed against his abdomen. “I’m fine…” He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, “I’ll… be back… soon…”

Minako wrapped her arms around his neck, “Nick…”

Nick pulled away and disappeared into the shrubbery, “Be safe…”

Minako put her hand to her face as tears began to stream from her eyes. “Why? Why couldn’t I get AJ to stay? And Nick….”

Brian pulled Minako toward him and held her closely to his chest, “Is he noble or just stupid?”

“What should we do?” Kevin asked, brushing his pants lightly as he stood up. “It seems he’s not an invalid, but…”

Howie smiled. “As he is insistent, perhaps we all allow him to perform this task on his priestess’ behalf. At least until the moment it seems too much time has passed.”

The three men stared after Nick as Minako continued to cry in Brian’s arms.

~*~

No joy smiled on the land of Rubiihoppou, it was filled with only frigid ice and the forgotten hearts of man. The blood that ran through the other countries like rivers was frozen solid amongst the crevices in the ground. Yet here, the bright open air tents were lit with the bright lights of the fires blazing as smoke rose through holes at the top of the cloth roofs. The sound of laughter filled the air completely. Outside this bright camp, the sky was dark and the air was cold. The camp seemed to be a façade, only an illusion in the icy hell around it. Meanwhile, within the walls of the camp, the outer reaches of the country seemed to be the illusion. It seemed as though there were no bloody battles anywhere. In one of the larger tents, laughter rang loudly in the early evening as. The men sat in a circle surrounding AJ, the demon in the bright red tunic and black pants.

“They were attached with a ribbon,” he laughed. “So young. That human sorceress must have bound him into a life of servitude!” He mimicked the wedding ceremony by holding out a limp wrist and kissing the backside of his hand.

The men laughed with him.

“Then what happened, Alexander?” one gleefully asked.

He sat on the ground and flopped backwards. “She fell to her knees and shook all over,” AJ laughed as he lay on the ground, “It was quite the lap dance!”

The men laughed again.

“I want some of what he’s getting!” a man called.

Alexander stood up, laughing, and walked back towards the chair in which he had sat previously.

The small child occupied it for him, watching his display with empty eyes.

AJ stopped momentarily, “You don’t think that it’s true?”

The small child shook his head and stared at the ground.

AJ picked him up before sitting down, then held him in his arms. He grinned to his eager audience, “But that wasn’t even the funniest part… I’ve saved the best for last.”

“Well, what was it?” another man eagerly asked.

AJ grinned and pulled on one of his earrings. A pale smoke surrounded him briefly, but when it subsided, he was an exact copy of Minako’s appearance, minus his large hoop earrings. “Take a look at her,” he gestured the length of his body and laughed.

The child stared up at him in wide surprise, then wrapped his small hand around the folds of the skirt.

The men stared wildly at the clothing AJ wore in his borrowed form. The light color surprised them, the short skirt excited them, and the bow at her neck made them laugh in joyous spirit.

AJ chuckled again as the curtain door of the tent opened.

“Minako…” a bewildered voice struggled to breathe.

A few of the men stood up and called to the owner of the voice. “Hey are you alright?” “Do you need a doctor?” “Is he a soldier?”

AJ stood and stepped back cautiously, holding the child carefully in his arms. The demon from before… He will see through this charade in an instant…

Nick smiled as he held his abdomen tightly, “I’m so glad… You found the child…” His expression fell momentarily, “But… When did you… leave the camp? I told… you to stay…”

“I was worried…” AJ replied, his voice was identical to Minako’s, “You left so long ago… and… how could I leave him all alone with that man?” He hugged the child tightly.

“Except… you know… we need him… To find… the box…”

“Box?”

“We’re… almost… there… We’ll… get it… Before the… emerald… demons…”

The other men in the room looked at each other suspiciously. Emerald demons? Why on earth were they hunting demons from the aggressor nation?

“I don’t want to look for the box anymore… I don’t need it…”

“Minako…”

“It isn’t important to me any more.”

“That’s true…” Nick managed a weak smile and started walking toward AJ’s illusion, “It was… the only thing… that was… important… to me…” He laughed a little, “But I don’t… remember… what was… sealed in… it anyway… And now… I have you...”

“You have me?” AJ stood and stepped back as he frowned.

“Yes… We’re married… So if… the box… isn’t important… anymore… you don’t… have to be… the priestess… any more… We can… just… live together… forever…”

“Marriage?”

Nick gripped AJ’s shoulders, “I love you...”

“About that…” AJ pulled out of his grip, “I don’t think we should be married anymore…”

“What?”

“I decided I want to stay here. I like this place better than anything.”

Nick reached out again. “Then… we’ll stay… here… As long as… you’re happy…”

AJ ducked away from his hand. “Really I just want to stay here, because it’s far away from you.”

“What? Minako...” He pulled his hand back.

Alexander hugged the child closely, “You’re only an invalid, a shadow of a man. Who would want you?”

Nick froze and flinched.

“Who would ever marry a gruesome demon like you?” Alexander’s eyes narrowed.

Nick backed away from him toward the entrance to the tent.

“But, what’s most important is that you have a strong heart… You are a very kind and warm person…”

He dropped to his knees.

“You’re amazing...”

Nick put his hand to his mouth.

"I’m sorry… I didn’t want you to get hurt… I was worried about what would happen to you here, but…”

Nick coughed into his hand.

“Me too… I love you too… Your gentleness… and your strength of heart… your drive to protect everything you care about… Your willingness to try anything...”

The blood streamed from his palm and down his wrist.

“Don’t put yourself in senseless danger like that! What would I do without you…?”

Nick tried to take in a deep breath as he choked back tears.

“I wanted you to have that last wish if I can, for anything you want.”

Despite his efforts, the tears streamed down his cheeks.

“Nick… I’ll never leave you… Never…”

Nick coughed again.

“Nick… I love you. Exactly as you are.”

Nick’s hand shook as he held it to his mouth, trying to stop the streams of blood and tears.

“They’re circles, so they represent endlessness. Kind of like our promise...”

His blood and tears fell on the ground in droplets.

AJ began laughing, “You really are an invalid, aren’t you? How weak…”

“Nick… I heard your voice….”

AJ looked toward the entrance of the tent to see a slim hand pushing back the entrance flap slowly.

The true Minako stood in the entrance to the tent, a solid vision identical to AJ’s façade. “Nick!” Her hands flew to her mouth in disbelief as she looked down at Nick’s shaking body next to her feet. She dropped to the ground and held Nick’s shaking body in her arms. She began sobbing, “You took too long… I was worried… Kevin should have healed you… It would have been okay if Kevin healed you…”

“Fraud…” Nick choked.

“What?” Minako blinked as she put her hand to her face and wiped her tears.

“One… of you… is a… fraud…” He removed his shaking hand from his mouth and struggled to sit up. His bloodstained hand continued to drip on the carpet.

Minako saw his tear-stained face for the first time and held his shoulders tightly. “Why are you crying? We got married… We’ll find the box… Kevin can heal you…”

Nick gripped her shoulders and leaned against her chest, “Minako…”

“You really married a demon?!” AJ sat in the chair behind him, “Did you hit your head?!”

Minako looked up and gasped. “Mirror?” She clenched her hand lightly against Nick’s shoulder, “Why is there a mirror?”

Nick gripped the ground as he tried to stand. “You…” he growled.

AJ smirked, “Looks like this game is over…”

The small child gave a faint smile and patted one of AJ’s earrings. AJ gripped it, then the pale smoke formed around him again.

“What?” Minako asked, clenching her fist tighter.

From the pale smoke, AJ emerged in his true form.

“AJ!” Minako reached her hand toward him.

“Not so loud…” he hushed her as he gripped his chest.

Nick’s eyes narrowed as he finally stood on his shaking legs, pulling Minako up with him. “Let’s… leave…”

“But we need him to get the box…” Minako blinked. “What about your wishes? Everyone’s wishes?”

“Topazuseihou… only had… four demons… We… don’t… need him…” Nick attempted to push Minako from the tent.

“Nick!”

Brian, Kevin, and Howie forced their way into the tent.

Brian grabbed Nick’s shoulders quickly, “I knew we should have come with you! What were you thinking running off like that?! You’re wounded!! Are you trying to kill yourself?!”

“Brian…”

Kevin pushed Brian away lightly, “That’s enough Brian.” He held out his hand, “Nick, we’re just going to have to try this and hope for the best…” A blue glow emanated from his hands as he pressed one to Nick’s chest and held the other over various body parts. Nick’s minor cuts and scrapes healed within moments. The only wounds left were the gashes in his cheek and the wound in his abdomen. While both were smaller, they both continued to bleed. Kevin began to breathe heavily as he pulled his hand from Nick’s chest and clenched both hands into fists, snuffing out the sapphire glow.

Nick coughed again and dropped to his knees.

Minako rose her shaking hands to her mouth. “Nick… Kevin…”

Kevin shook his head as he held his hand to his chest, “It’s no good… I need bandages!” He shouted as he scanned the tent, looking for someone to help him.

One of the men finally jumped up hurriedly and ran from the tent.

Nick began coughing violently, streams of blood splattered from his mouth.

“Nick!” Minako exclaimed and sank to her knees as she gripped his shoulders.

Nick put his hand to his throat and struggled to get air in, “It’s… no good… I… can’t breathe… Why?...” Nick coughed again.

Minako grabbed his shoulders tightly, “CPR! I’ll give you CPR!”

Kevin blinked in confusion, “CPR?”

“Lay down! Hurry up and lay down!”

Nick managed to lie down, but began coughing again as he did.

“Turn your head! Turn your head! You’ll choke!”

Nick turned his head, but a stream of blood trickled down his lips.

Minako began to attempt to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation, but Nick pulled her down to his chest.

He held her tightly within his arms. “Minako…”

“Let me go! You’ll die!” Minako flailed her arms and legs a bit. She kicked the ground a few times as tears started to fall down her cheeks. This is just like a temper tantrum… When did I become so weak that I’m throwing a temper tantrum?

Nick started laughing weakly, “I can’t… help it… I see you… leaning over me… with your lips… parted… And I just want… to hold you….” He smiled weakly, “Isn’t that… stupid?”

Minako stopped kicking and held on to his chest tightly, “No Nick… It’s not stupid at all…” Tears continued to stream down her cheeks. “Not at all…”

“I brought the bandages!” the man from the tent yelled, holding a long strip of muslin wrapping in his hand.

Kevin turned and smiled at the man. He took the bandage into his own hand. He then turned to Nick and Minako. “Minako, you’ll have to get up if you want me to bind his wound.” He gently kneeled beside Nick, then pulled the salve from his tunic. “However, I am willing to accept your assistance with the clasps at Nick’s collar and back.”

Nick released his hold on Minako, allowing her to sit up. She brushed her bloody shirt as she held Nick’s hand, then unbuttoned his clasps at his chest. Kevin untied the sash from Nick’s waist and grabbed his hand to pull him up. Minako undid the clasps at Nick’s shoulders, then helped Kevin remove Nick’s tunic from his shoulders and arms, causing it to fall lightly at his waist.

Kevin pulled it to the side before applying the salve to Nick’s abdomen wound and then to his cheek. Kevin let out a laugh, “I haven’t had a nurse in a long time.”

Minako gave a small smile, “I do what I can…” She gave Nick’s hand a light squeeze.

Nick clenched Minako’s hand and stared at her face intently. A faint blush crossed his cheeks. It really is like I’m an invalid… It’s embarrassing to seem this weak...

Kevin stretched the cloth and ripped it into pieces, then created several layers over Nick’s abdomen wound. He then held a longer piece of cloth against Nick’s waist, then placed it over the wound and his stomach. At his opposite hip, he passed it to Minako to wind around Nick’s back. They continued winding the cloth around Nick’s abdomen until the initial layers over the wound were secure. Kevin then tied the two loose ends of the cloth together. He then took in a breath as he wiped his hands with his cloth, before applying his salve to his own hands. He placed his supplies back into his tunic along with the linen, then wiped his brow with the back of his hand, “Finished. I haven’t done that kind of medical aid in a long time…”

Nick looked down at the wrappings and moved his hand toward them.

Kevin grabbed Nick’s hand away quickly, pulling Nick toward him. His thick eyebrows narrowed against his eyes as he stared straight into Nick’s eyes. Their faces were only inches from each other. “Touch it and die.” He released Nick quickly, tossing Nick’s hand into his lap.

Nick blinked in surprise, but nodded his head slowly.

Kevin sat back and sighed. “We’d better gather our things before we continue… Can you stand?”

Nick gave a weak nod, “Yeah… I think so…” He began to pull his tunic back around his shoulders. He winced a little as the fabric brushed over the abdomen wound.

Minako steadied his back and redid the clasps above his wings.

Kevin grasped Brian’s hand to secure his balance and stood slowly. “We can all go eat now.”

Nick looked up at him. He laboriously redid the clasps at his collarbone. “Eat?”

“You need to eat something. It’s important to get your strength back while you recover. You also haven’t eaten since our food ran out on the road.” Kevin wiped his arm across his brow again. “Then get some rest and stay with our Priestess. Minako, make sure he actually rests.” He pointed to Minako, and then turned back to Nick. “Those are doctor’s orders. We need you at your best. Understood?”

Nick smiled weakly, “Yeah…” He wrapped his ribbon around his waist, tying it in a loose knot.

Kevin lowered his head, “Let’s get going then.”

Howie gave a short nod and started to open the tent flap.

“Wait…” a male voice called.

Howie pulled his hand back as he turned around. The three demons faced the man who had brought the bandages. He wore a long black tunic over tan pants. The ribbon at his waist was also tan in coloring. His brown hair fell lightly in front of his brown eyes.

“Yes?” Kevin asked.

“Maybe it would be better if you all spent the night here, if his wounds are so bad…” He turned to AJ “Don’t you think, Alex?”

AJ snorted.

The man in the black tunic gave him a quick, sharp look.

AJ sighed as he put his hand behind his head, “Guess so… I’m at least partly to blame… so… we’ll find someplace for you to stay here… At least until tomorrow...”

Kevin gave him a small smile, “Thank you.”

“I’ll show you to an open tent… or two…” the man in the black tunic smiled.

Kevin and Brian pulled on Nick’s arms to help him stand without putting too much strain on his abdomen. Nick still let out a groan. Howie offered his hand to Minako and she stood up lightly. The five of them exited the tent in a bunch.

The man in the black tunic followed them outside the tent.

AJ pulled him aside by the shoulder as he followed him out of the tent, “Is this such a good idea, Joseph? They’re demons… No, cardinal demons… It’s clear from their talk of the box and that doctor’s glowing hands.”

“So are we…” Joseph replied.

He clenched his fist, “I didn’t think the box was still calling priestesses after those other two were here. Plus, we don’t know which country they’re from… It could be a problem.”

“You know the priestesses use strange names to address us. And she called you ‘AJ,’ not Alexander! But she didn’t call me anything strange! Of course you know what country they're from…”

AJ crossed his arms, “I don’t like it…”

“We can’t have a wounded man running back to wherever they came from… It’s just not right…”

AJ glanced away, “Do you really want me to leave?”

“Alex…”

AJ turned his head quickly as he crossed his arms, “Fine…” He brushed the flap aside and walked back into the large tent.

Joseph frowned as he shook his head and walked toward Minako and the sapphire demons.