Life Lost .:Seraphiel:.

[Sarai]

There was no explaining the extent of her pain and sorrow, no way of showing what wretched storm raged in her heart or what fear seized her and made her hate. Sarai would never forgive those who had caused this. And she would never forgive herself. Even Kahbel, who crouched in the corner of the room, his amber eyes narrowed as he contemplated the situation, seemed to understand that his Master was beyond comfort. The great winged griffon had a large wing curled around the sleeping child at his side, her white hair spilling around her face. She was only six and the only thing Sarai had been able to steal from the woman that had taken the life of her unborn child.

Sarai was also in a corner. Huddled in what little shadow was available with her hair in her face and tears streaming down her porcelain cheeks. Her pretty pale pink dress was stained with blood, the blood that came when the baby died inside of her. She wailed into her hands, a mourning sound that was quite hair-raising. Seraphiel would have quite a surprise when he found this in his room, and Sarai knew he would hate her. It was her fault. She knew it and she knew he might just kill her for it. She was supposed to protect it, and she had been foolish and caught off guard. Because of her stupidity, she had killed his child.

She dug her fingernails into her palms, drawing blood and sobbing at this. She felt weak, foul...pathetic. She had gotten over the hatred of the situation, for she knew in her heart that she would find the dragoon and kill him. And if the griffon rider lived through the poison, she would murder the witch and slaughter her ugly beast without mercy. She had stolen a life from her, and in return she would lose her own along with those of the ones she loved most. The little girl, Sarai would teach to hate her past mother. To loathe her and despise her. Sarai would not kill her yet...though in time, perhaps she would get bored with the little pet and dispose of it responsibly.

Though very few reasonable thoughts entered her mind. Her thoughts were clouded with emotion, something Sarai did not usually let affect her. She could only ask herself what Seraphiel was going to say...what he was going to do... Would he show pity? Or would he show hate? Sarai weeped, her shoulders shaking with the effort of draining the feelings that clutched her heart and wrenched it to and fro. She cried hard...for the life she had lost.

[Seraphiel]

The man in question was sitting in his throne room all alone, the silence around him defeaning. His eyes were closed, his hands crossed and folded elegantly upon his lap. He almost seemed like an elaborate statue, sitting in a frozen state upon his crystal throne. The truth was, Seraphiel was dealing with something new to him, an emotion which had suddenly came out of the blue after he had witnessed something happen hundreds of miles away. This emotion...was grief.

Weeks ago, after learning of Arkazan's fall, Seraphiel had gone there to establish his rule, as he had done in Amon Zoru. This time, there was no resistance, which was exactly what he had been hoping for. Sarai had been with him, as usual. By this time, Seraphiel was well aware of the life she now carried in her, a life which he had never encountered before in all his years. Upon Seraphiel's departure date from Arkazan, he had a private conversation with Sarai, his most beloved follower. She wanted to stay and watch over the griffin riders to ensure that his rule was carried out without resistance. Seeing the love and determination to prove herself to him in Sarai's eyes, Seraphiel agreed, knowing he could easily keep an eye on her from the citadel. Little did he know that he had made a mistake in letting her stay...

He was watching her like he had promised when the horrible deed unfolded. Trusting in Sarai's ability to handle herself in combat (he already knew full well how ruthless she could be). he saw little reason to worry, or intervene for that matter. His interest grew when the dragoon made his precense known. Seraphiel even then did not worry, for he could plainly tell that the man was not on the offensive, instead seeming to focus upon trying to save the rider which Sarai was preying upon. Seraphiel watched as though he was actually there when Sarai chased the rider and the dragoon into the cloudy ravine. Still feeling little need to worry, Seraphiel constantly trusted in Sarai's ability to act rationally as well as cautiously. The battle continued and it seemed Sarai was keeping the upper hand. And then...the worst happened. The poisoned, blinded, and weakened rider lashed out at Sarai with a surprise kick. It was in this connecting blow where Seraphiel felt as though a part of him had just been killed, and in a way, it had. Overcome with an intense new and quite uncomfortable feeling, Seraphiel only had time to see an enraged and injured Sarai take to the skies, leaving the dragoon and other rider behind.

Collapsing to the crystalline ground, his white coat billowing about him, Seraphiel gritted his teeth, overcome with this feeling, which seemed to tear at his human form's heart. His entire body felt numb, his mind in a state of mental anguish. What was this terrible emotion which had hit him so suddenly? The answer came as soon as Seraphiel realized the terrible fact: his unborn child had just been killed. It took him several moments to recompose himself, although his human legs were still shaking after he had stood back up. Taking long, deep breaths, Seraphiel sat back down upon his throne, bowing his head, closing his eyes, and folding his hands together, waiting for Sarai to return, all while fighting back this new and horrible feeling of sorrow...

There he had sat, motionless and silent, for what seemed eternity. Finally, he felt Sarai's precense returning to the citadel. Still, he did not rise. Only until he knew she was in their bedroom did he finally raise his head and open his eyes. Standing, he gave a simple mental command to the citadel, asking it to take him to her. Moments later, his form reappeared in front of their bedroom door. Not even knocking, Seraphiel opened the door and walked in. He walked with silent steps towards Sarai. Not a word was spoken from his lips, his eyes emotionless as he looked upon her. He knew Sarai was moments away from falling to the ground, either in apology or grief. Therefore, before she could act, he swiftly embraced her, the excess blood upon her clothing now staining his white coat with crimson color. He held her close to him, his hands working magic into Sarai's body, repairing as much damage to her as he could. Still, even he could not bring their loss back to them. Finally, he spoke, his tone flat and devoid of its usual elegance.

"A terrible thing has happened to us Sarai, more terrible than I could have ever imagined. This world is a cruel one, and I have known it all along. I saw it all happen, and I did not intervene. I am as much to blame for not preventing this as you. Many of my creations have died in the past, but never have I felt the way I do now. I do not wish to ever again experience this wretched feeling, this emotion which I have never known. We must be more cautious in the future, for we must remember that until my goal is reached, this world is a merciless place, a place where life is never immortal..."

[Sarai]

Sarai felt his presence immediately coming near her. She tightened her small hands into fists, her nails continuing to dig into her palms. Grief overwhelmed her tiny, delicate form and erased any happy thought. She felt dirty, wrong and unworthy of looking upon the man whom had been kindest to her. And yet, when he entered the room she could only feel love for him and the need to be with him consumed her completely. It took only moments before he was embracing her, holding her close. She wrapped her arms around him, weeping into his coat and hiding her face there. Her voice was full of agony.

"I have failed you!" she wailed, "I have failed you, my love! Our child is dead and for my foolish actions I have been punished without mercy! That filthy woman! She stole what was most precious to me...and so I stole what was most precious to her!" Her voice was almost menacing when speaking that last part and her eyes shot over to the sleeping form of the white haired child. Right now, she only felt hatred toward the mousy little girl. Sarai buried her head in her master's shoulder, feeling him try to heal what he could of her.

Never before had she felt such anguish, such utter torture within. And yet, she was distantly aware that Seraphiel had not showed any anger toward her. In fact, he blamed himself as well. She shook her head, not wanting to here him burden himself with the death of his own child. It was her fault, and she knew it. And despite all of the emotions making her weak she managed to hear something in his voice...three words to be exact. "..in the future..." She felt relief take hold of her, knowing that her lord and love would keep her at his side. She pulled back only slightly so that she could see his grief-stricken face. Her small fingers clutched the front of his coat and her lips parted in a silent plea for an unanswered question. Would they dare try this again? Attempt to bring a child into this world? Could he protect her and his child from the death that was ravaging the land?

Sarai pressed her face into his chest, breathing in his scent and attempting to find comfort in it. She knew that her tears had stained his coat, and her blood had made her a foul and disgusting creature...and yet Seraphiel had managed to show love still. She would never leave his side, so long as he wanted her there. She spoke again, her voice a frail quiver. "I have lost something dear to me, my love. And I am afraid. Please do not leave me...I need you," she told him, looking up to meet his gaze with her pleading amber one.

[Seraphiel]

War could be cruel, cold, and heartless. Seraphiel knew this better than most, having been through countless, researching countless more. Still, it was a necessary evil, for each time it ended, the world was cleansed. Despite this tragedy, Seraphiel could not sway in his course, he would keep the fight going, he would not let Sarai's sacrifice be in vain. Holding his beloved follower tight, Seraphiel listened to her words of frustration and sorrow. His blue gaze stole a glance towards the child which Sarai had taken from the griffin rider. This action could prove to be either foolish or advantageous, depending on how this new arrival acted amongst them. Still, such a matter was not important to him at the moment, his gaze returning to Sarai, his hand lightly brushing her blond hair tenderly.

He could 'see' into her mind, reading her thoughts as though they were his own. She was doubtful of a future child to carry on their legacy, to be conceived in a world that was still in turmoil. It only made him wish to hasten his plan to change the world. If his followers would not do it swiftly enough, then he would throw himself into the fire, despite the fact that it might cause even more chaos for a short time.

If you want to get something done, do it yourself...

His only worry was that the races would somehow find a way to stop him, just as his own creations had long, long ago. If they were to discover the existence of the ancient Creator weapons, such as his Omega blade, then it could be over even before it had begun. Sighing, Seraphiel did his best to push such doubts from his mind, knowing they were nothing but a hindrance. He instead curled his lips into a warm smile as he felt Sarai push herself against his chest, speaking softly with a voice that seemed a direct opposite of her usual cold self. Sliding his hand into hers, he nodded slowly, responding with a warm, caring tone.

"Indeed, we have both suffered a loss. However, every loss is a learning experience, let us not forget what has happened and use it as a lesson to be more cautious when around our foes. You need not worry Sarai, for as long as you remain by my side, then I shall be by yours. I will protect you from those that have wronged us, and in return you shall give me the strength and will to keep my dream, my goal, going. I know its is going to be difficult, but you must be strong Sarai, otherwise our foes will use our loss to their advantage. Are you going to be strong...for me?"

He slowly moved from her grasp, his hands upon her soft delicate shoulders. His smile was still there, still trying to comfort her, to let her know he was here for her now, and that everything would be okay. And to think that some thought of him as a bloodthirsty, careless tyrant...

(bah...crappy, but I had to post something! >_<)