Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ By the Hand of Destiny: Book One; The Journey to Destiny ❯ Chapter Nine: Destiny ( Chapter 9 )

Note: Sorry its taken so long for my to repost these chapters, college has been driving me nuts and its not over yet. So much stress! I'll get back to posting them real soon and I almost have completed the new chapter. So hopefully the wait will be worth it.

Demitri is forced to reveal knowledge of Destiny when she uses her abilities again and is caught by the Stratago. Advantages are seen and steps taken causing Destiny to become a pawn for another's gain. She must enter the mind of the Dragon Slayer's Commander. His mind is far from normal, past changes by the sorcerers are clearly apparent. And while Destiny tries to calm the sparks between Hell and the War Lord she becomes trapped, the very catalyst causing the sparks between both warriors to ignite. The fire burns into a passion that can only have one outcome, but perhaps not the outcome Destiny expects.

Continue the journey of Destiny…

**Lemon Warning**

Chapter Nine: Destiny

I sat on my bed and waited for Demitri to arrive. When he finally did I hugged him before chiding him for taking so long.

"I thought you'd never get here."

"Well considering yesterday, I was surprised that you wanted to see me at all." I stood and walked up to Demitri, and kissed him lightly as I whispered in to his lips, "I'm sorry about what happened, but things have changed, I must see Blade." I broke the kiss and reaching out to entwine my hand in his I led him to my bed. "Just hold me till I sleep." I said out loud as I sat on the bed and pulled him down with me.

Demitri didn't have to be told what I had planed to do, I was going to leave my body and travel to where Blade was following the other two, the knight and the other assassin. He lay next to me and wrapped his arm across me to pull me in close. Very quietly Demitri whispered,

"You need extra strength, Destiny, you look drained already."

"No time, it can wait till I get back; I have enough energy to do this."

I closed my eyes, drawing my minds energy back into my being; the energy formed into the sphere and broke free from the confines of my body. I hovered for a moment over the two forms in the bed below. Demitri had been right; I was drained, so the quicker I made the journey, the quicker I'd be back. I should have checked on Folken, but again time was not on my side. Time and space folded and I was in the moonlit sky above the forest of Egzardia near to the spot where Blade stood silently in the shadows, her form again that of a black wolf. During the journey I had again began to feel the metallic tinge of being watched, but the feeling had suddenly vanished leaving me to wonder if I had only thought I had felt it. Blade turned her golden wolf eyes in the direction of my energy.

"I've been worried Destiny, that message spirit from Demitri was far from enlightening. And does he have to use a bird form for them; I almost ate the thing before it transformed."

"Blade listen. We are still the forced guests of the Zaibach Empire, but I can feel that we are at the place we need to be." My energy told the wolf beside me, not in words, but in thoughts shared. "This is not all it seems though; I have found out that the assignment the woman Hell accepted to kill the Slayer was a rouse, to take her to her own death. I need to find out more. The trail starts back at Palas, with the merchant Dryden. I need you to go there and find out what you can. Those two," I said as I looked toward the two figures seated by a small fire, "are getting closer to meeting up with the others, they are all being used, but I don't know why."

"How am I to relay this information once I have it?" The wolf sniffed the air and let a low growl escape from her throat. "Rabbit."

"Blade, don't be distracted, only be gone for a day, even if you have no answer, but I know you will find something. When you return, enter their camp as the wolf, Artemis will accept you, I will see to that. I worry about you tracking them the hunter could become the hunted and something could happen to you. I will try to come to you again, but it is becoming dangerous for me to use my abilities like this."

"Then why did you risk it, why didn't you have Demitri send another spirit message?"

"Zaibach is having an influence on our friend, besides you might have eaten it. Fly quickly my friend, I can't stay much longer."

Blade nodded her black head, and then began to transform, her body changed in shape as it grew in size. Scales of crimson replaced the black fur and leathery red wings sprouted from her back. In a matter of a few minutes the black wolf was a small sleek red dragon. Its wings beat rhythmically as it assented into the night sky and flew in the direction of Palas, Asturia.

I stayed a moment longer so I could reach out to gently enter Artemis's mind as she sat by the fire. I planted the idea of a wolf, a black wolf with golden eyes, as a friend, an animal not to fear but to keep safe on her journey. It was a poor fix at the best, but at my energies level it was all I could do.

I felt my energy draining fast as I again folded time and space to return to the floating fortress and the room in which my body waited for me. As my energy hovered in the room, I could feel and see an enchantment surrounding the bed, shrouding it, why had Demitri felt the necessity to cast a spell when it would surly alert anyone watching my chamber? I would ask him as soon as I could, but now my energy was too low, to do anything but return to my body. My energy drew back to my being to home. My body slowly took in a breath and I opened my eyes as I rolled over in Demitri's embrace.

My eyes registered the shock I felt, for I was not in Demitri's embrace. I was being held by and I looked into the stern eyes of Lord Folken.

"Shush little one." He whispered as he touched the glowing orb he held in his hand. Waves of confusion swept through my mind as my hand fell limply to my side. This was worse than in the glen, I was too drained by all that I had done, the confusion was doing more than keeping my mind locked in my body, it was drawing what little strength I had left from me. I was again trapped in that long tunnel, hearing Folken's voice from a distance. "Bring Demitri back in now." Two slayers entered the room, and between them Demitri struggled to free himself. "Tell me again why I couldn't use the orb before she opened her eyes."

"It might have killed her." Demitri answered in a low growl.

"I will kill her if I don't get the answers I seek. Do we understand each other?" Folken replied to the elfin man, as he stood then bent back down to brush a lock of hair from my pale face. "Demitri?"

"Yes."

"Kuja, Gatti, you may return to your posts now." Folken dismissed the slayers with a wave of his hand. After the door closed behind them Folken continued, "We are alone now, the three of us, and your enchantment will keep this conversation private from others. You have to tell me, or I can't continue to protect her from the sorceress, Demitri. I know how they operate having once been among their ranks; Destiny would suffer in their hands. Is that what you want to see happen to her?" As Demitri shook his head Folken continued, "I have to know where in the fortress she went, who she was watching and why you demanded I not use the orb."

"She wasn't on the fortress, she left, we have a companion who was to meet with us, and Destiny was concerned for her if we didn't show."

"There is another near here? I think not, our sentries would have alerted us if that were so. I will ask one more time, and this is the last, whom on this fortress was Destiny trying to contact." I heard Demitri laugh, it sounded hollow as he continued.

"For all the watching and learning of her abilities, you still don't understand. Her minds energy doesn't need her body; in fact it would only hold her back. She calls her body her home, because that is where her energy lives. Like a home she isn't confined to it, she leaves it behind to journey elsewhere." He looked at my face a sad look of one about to betray a friend and hoping for understanding. I knew what he was about to tell Folken, but I suspected that the man already understood and only wanted confirmation of his theories. "Destiny's energy was in Egzardia, and that is too great a distance for her to remain linked to her body, so she left it here in my care."

"You expect me to believe this? That she could travel that distance and return in the time she has been like this." Folken shook his head.

"Destiny told me once that to travel she would fold time and space, she is at her destination the moment after she leaves."

"That is what I needed to hear, those abilities could be of a great help to an Empire such as Zaibach, but they could be a most dangerous weapon to it also. Omadon would view it as the ladder. So you see why I need to know and understand her; otherwise Omadon would surly see it in Zaibach's best interest to rid the empire of any possibility of future threat. He knows she has abilities, but to what extent is the question. She did more than I commanded her to at the dinner; she can't do that if I am to shield her and at the same time exhibit her as nothing more than a useful tool that I control. Since neither of you were forthcoming I had to push her to find my answers." Folken told Demitri in a solemn voice, conveying he wanted to help me.

"And push her you have. She's drained from all you've put her through these last few days; look at her now. She won't use her abilities unless she has to, it affects her physically, and she needs to draw that strength she looses back to her from another, but she won't unless she gives of herself. Her own sensuality is the price she pays for taking that strength."

"Go on Demitri, I know there is more that you have left out. Destiny isn't looking to good; soon it may be too late for her." Folken looked at me in a way that made me know that I must have looked as bad as I was feeling, that it was apparent that I was about to loose consciousness.

"She mates to release the built up energy from the use of her abilities, to bring her body and mind back into balance."

"And if she doesn't mate?"

"Then she requires time to restore the balance." As far as Demitri was concerned he was done giving Folken answers. He wanted to help me now, as he realized he should haven insisted on doing before I left. "Please turn that thing off." Demitri cried.

Folken turned off the orb, but I showed no sign of the confusion leaving. In fact it seemed to be growing worse. I tried to speak, but nothing came out. I could feel that I was loosing the battle to keep from the blackness that was drawing me in. If I were to pass out I couldn't link to draw strength, and I didn't want to find out what would happen if I couldn't.

"She's going to pass out," Demitri quickly approached the bed; ignoring the look Lord Folken was giving him. He grabbed me. "Link, Destiny, please!"

"No," Folken ordered as he pushed Demitri away, "I caused this, I will give her the strength." He then gently gathered me into his arms leaning me against his arm of flesh. "Little one, do as you are told, link with me."

I was too far-gone to resist as I knew I should, too much of me would be revealed to this man. My mind reached out and formed the link to his; drawing the strength he freely gave me. Our emotions mixed as I was too weak to hold them from doing so and he felt my loneliness as I felt his own which were mirrored within me. And I understood the tear; it was him morning the loss of his past life, a life filled with love and family, a tear for a beautiful green country and for a brother. My eyes filled as I reached my hands up to cup his face and brought my lips to his in a soft kiss one that told him I too would morn for him. I tried to pull Folken even closer, my hands leaving his face to travel down his arms, both flesh and metal, to automatically try to give back for what I had taken; I needed release.

"No, Destiny, you will not mate this night, you must learn that I am the one to determine when and how you use your abilities. I do this for your own good, little one." Folken whispered to me, but in his mind he saw not me, but a memory of a beautiful green land surrounded by forests and protected by dragons. Unable to continue, I broke the link and let my mind descend into the darkness to heal.

I woke slowly, I still felt tired, but my head was clear except for the dull ache caused by the build up of emotional energy without release. I wouldn't forget Folken's punishment anytime soon. I got up and headed for the bathing chamber, opening the door I again found it was ready, filled with the steaming scented water that would revive my stiff body. I soaked for a while; the glimpses of Folken's mind swirling in my thoughts. He was a very complex man, and so torn, but above all he truly believed in the dream of his Emperor. The man wanted a perfect future; that was a confusing thought. I washed and towelled my hair, then leaving the pool, I wrapped another towel around my slim body. When I returned to the bedchamber I found a dress laid out for me, this one was more in the normal peasant style, but again in the colours of Zaibach, mostly purple. I really hated purple and was about ignore the garment when I noticed the note laying on it. I picked it up reading the simple words in Folken's hand. 'Wear this, Folken.' I reached for the dress and started to put it on, feeling a strong need to do so.

'What?' The word echoed in my head almost as if I had said it out loud. I knew my mind and emotions better than most people knew their own name. Folken was smarter than even I had realized. At some point either during our link or while I slept Folken had devised a way to implant a compulsion in my mind. How he had figured out a way to do it was beyond my understanding, but it was there. He had made me feel the need to obey him, without question. I wondered if he had tried to make it so I wouldn't even notice it, but I had; and now what would I do? I also realized that I had finished putting on the dress and want as I would, I couldn't bring myself to take it off.

A knock on the door and the entrance of the devil of my thoughts left me with no further time to mull over this new problem.

"I see you are dressed, good. It is time you saw more of the fortress, since you will be remaining here with me for some time. I have given Demitri the choice of leaving us or staying; I think you know which he chose." I looked at him and wondered what the man was up to now?

"Since he has chosen to stay, he will not only be studying from the volumes that I have given him improving his magical abilities, but he will start to train with Dilandau. There is a training match after the evening meal and you are both to watch it." I stood there waiting, I knew there would be more, and was rewarded with Folken's next words. "Dilandau is something of a problem to me at times Destiny, while you are there I would like you to look into his mind, I want to know more about the Leader of the Dragon Slayers." There it was again, that feeling to obey surging through me. I didn't say a word, had I argued he would have known I had realized what he had done to me.

"Yes, Lord Folken."

"Demitri will be here after you have eaten, I will see you later tonight after you return and I will require a full report." Folken said as he bowed slightly and left me alone to my thoughts.

The training room was big; I had never seen anything like it before in my life. The woman, Hell was present sparing with a slayer named Miguel who she disarmed all to soon. Lord Dilandau was there also, as I knew he would be, seated on a raised dialysis in a large chair, well it was too impressive to be called a chair; it was definitely a throne. He watched silently as Hell began anew with the Slayer Kuja. I stood silently next to Demitri; I hated the fact that he had chosen to stay, but loved him for not leaving me. How would he be changed if he trained with Lord Dilandau; would I loose my friend for good; no I wouldn't believe that of my companion, I couldn't. My attention was brought back to the sparing match by what the woman, Hell was telling her opponent.

"You see, Kuja, in my experience it is a greater advantage to be a woman than a man!" Hell shouted as her and Kuja's swords locked together, "A man may have the greater skill in sword play but we have more than just that." She watched with amusement as a puzzled look crosses Kuja's face.

"And what prey tell is that, Hell?"

"Our bodies, dear Kuja, our bodies." Hell chuckled in response. "Even during battle men think with this, not their brains." And she pointed to the appropriate part of his lower regions causing Kuja to blush slightly. "A show of flesh or a brush of the skin and that little part of their brain clicks into action."

I noticed that as Hell spoke Dilandau had stood up from his throne and I watched as Hell continued to push on with her fight against Kuja. Hell smirked at Kuja although it was not directed at him. My eyes didn't leave the two sparing, but I could hear the noise of amour as he moved down steps. The noise stopped and I knew that it was Dilandau.

"It is one of mans greater faults and all women who have seen the world know of it. These are our Powers, Kuja." Hell looked directly down at the rising and falling of her own chest. "Prop these up and no man alive can look you in the eye." Hell informed Kuja as their swords continued to make contact.

Only when Kuja lay on the ground with Hell's sword pointed directly at his throat did everyone finally hear Dilandau speak. "The only methods that will ever be used in my Dragon Slayers are attack and counter attack. There will be no use of such weak womanly tactics." His voice was a low growl.

I was still listening to the two as they exchanged verbal blows in front of the assembled group of Dragon Slayers. I knew I would have to go into Dilandau's mind, but first Hell had given me an idea, and my need to do the bidding of the Old Ones was as strong if not stronger than any compulsion Folken had given me.

"My Slayers are trained to ignore any distractions."

That was it; I reached out to Hell with my mind. I first built up the sexual heat that Hell experienced when she fought, but then I redirected the heat toward Dilandau, making Hell feel it more intensely and connect it with the man before her. I encouraged the feeling in Hell that Dilandau had let his guard down, and now was the perfect time to take full advantage. With the plan formed in Hell's mind I withdrew and not yet ready to enter Dilandau I watched as Hell re-sheathed her sword, a look of pure devilment sparkling in her eyes as she approached the Leader of the Dragon Slayers.

"Fine, then. Prove it."

Hell continued to approach Dilandau stopping just inches from him. Slowly she raised her face to his, their eyes locked his blazing with red fire, hers a soft chocolate brown that hid her cold blooded nature. She placed her hand on Dilandau's arm and drew it down its length, then across his middle just below the area of his navel. His intake of breath was sharp and I could see from the expression on Hell's face that the woman knew she had Dilandau's complete attention.

I knew it was now time, I must enter Dilandau's mind, or the Leader of the Dragon Slayers, might do damage to Hell. I reached out with my mind and into the mind of Dilandau. It was filled with such harsh bitter flavours, that my body actually shuddered where I stood watching with Demitri. I found the knot of rage that Dilandau was quickly becoming unable to control just as the Lord reached out and grabbed Hell hard by both arms. I quickly repressed the rage and instead encouraged him to feel excitement so strong that he could feel his body trembling with it.

Suddenly I felt a strange pull as if something was dragging me further into Dilandau's mind. I shook the feeling off since I didn't believe it possible. I need to concentrate on the encounter at hand, the faster I could be out of Dilandau's strange mind, the better. From where I stood I could see the two, their eyes still locked, but the part of me that was in Dilandau's mind could feel that he had already decided that he wouldn't let Hell, a mere woman, make the first move. Dilandau lowered his head to Hell's; the kiss was fast and hard. It was a punishment for her boldness, but Hell didn't respond with fear as Dilandau had expected; no she had melted in his hold.

I tried to leave Dilandau's mind, as he and Hell embrace, the world fading as they drank in each other. His hand left her arm to reach up and cup one breast; I could feel its warmth in my hand, as Dilandau's hand felt it through the cloth of Hell's shirt as his kiss became more urgent, demanding and full of need for deeper fulfilment. I pulled my energy away with more force and was almost completely out of Dilandau's mind when I was pulled back in with an even greater force; a mental force as great as the physical force Dilandau just used to pull Hell closer to his body.

My mind fought to leave that of Dilandau's, I didn't understand how it could have happened, but a part of his mind had surrounded my energy and was preventing it from leaving. I was trapped, held tight while it decided what to do. I could hear Dilandau speak as he broke away from Hell.

"Not here woman, we will continue this in another place; guards escort her to my chamber." He then turned from Hell to partially face his men. "You thought to best me in front of my men. Well you have now sealed your fate, you are mine now; do not attempt to leave ever!"

I felt the energy snap as I lost contact with my body. I tried desperately to grab onto Demitri's mind, clinging to it for a second, and felt his mind try to pull me in. But I was too far into Dilandau's mind and it pulled me away from Demitri and into his, the foul emotions there pressing in at me from all sides. I felt as if steely fingers of emotion were holding me, keeping me prisoner.

My mind was now completely trapped inside the mind of Lord Dilandau. I could see through his eyes as he watched Hell being lead out of the room. He turned at the sound of a commotion from where the elfin man and that strange woman had been watching. The woman had collapsed, and was being held by the man, Demitri, the one that was to begin training as a Slayer the next day by orders from Folken. "Women are so weak. Remove that female so we can resume training." He ordered as he returned to the throne he ruled over his Slayers from.

Dilandau sat, but didn't pay attention to the sparing match, which continued. He had something else on his mind, something that was now locked in his private chamber waiting for him. He motioned to a servant to approach.

"Caz, I want the items you had made to my specifications. Get them and wait for me outside my chamber." He said dismissively to the young woman without even so much as a glance in her direction. He then returned his attention to the match hoping for a swift end to the night's training.

So far I had been able to avoid the conscience part of Dilandau's mind, the part that would link to me. Since his subconscious had recognized my energy as an intruder, what would the conscience part of him realize? I was afraid to even think of what was now happening to my body; I could only hope that Demitri would keep me safe.

When the sparing between the last two slayers finished, Dilandau excused his men with a wave of his hand. Impatience flooded his mind; he was more than ready to go to his chamber, and to the woman there, Hell. As Dilandau approached his chamber the servant, Caz handed him the items he had requested, she kept her head down, eyes to the floor. He took them from her trembling hands smiling slightly at the obviously fear in the woman

As Dilandau entered his chamber Hell approached him trying to make the first move, the look on her face saying this wasn't going to be his show, but then she did in fact start it out in the training room. And as he had hoped that remark he made to his men about her being his had served to infuriate her. Hell stopped almost directly in front of him, only then did she notice he was holding something in his hand. He had known she wanted to control the situation, just as she had done to Kuja with her body, but he had other plans. Dilandau handed Hell a gown, the fabric of it silky and soft. Hell stared at it as if it were burning in her hands. "I wouldn't wear this for anyone, let alone you, Dilandau." There was no warning as Dilandau grabbed the neckline of Hell's sparing outfit and in one swift motion ripped the front, instantly ruining it.

"Well you do have a choice, wear what I have given you or not. I would prefer the latter, but the decision is entirely up to you." Hell held the gown out, it was of the deepest red, Dilandau's colour, with gold piping and black accents. It was elegant. He could tell by the intense look in Hell's eyes that she knew its meaning; I am Lord Dilandau's possession. Turning he strode out of the room and slammed the door locking it behind him. He would give her time to make her decision, when he returned she would either be wearing the gown, or she would still be in what is left of her sparing outfit, torn beyond repair with her breasts exposed. He could see it in his mind, Hell reluctantly stripping off the ruined garment, the silk of the red gown caressing her body as she slid it over her head, and then she would step over to the glass to gaze her reflection in it.

After giving what he felt to be an appropriate amount of time, I could feel Lord Dilandau make the decision to go back into the room. As he entered, he was not disappointed. A wicked smile spread across his face at the sight of Hell dressed for him.

"Good girl, now turn around and let me get a better look at you."

Hell froze at his words, he was pushing all the right buttons to try to break her and by the look he was giving, he wanted her to know he knew he was having that effect on her. I couldn't help but wonder at the gown, it was made to Hell's exact size. I could feel it in his mind; he had been waiting for the opportunity all along, to claim Hell as his own. The emotions in his mind were so much more intense than they should have been for someone of his age, but physical appearances could be deceiving. His mind had the experience of battle and lust that belonged to men much older than he could possibly be. It was then that I realized those emotions in him weren't originally his at all, but had been somehow planted there in his mind. Dissect, that was what the sorcerer had wanted to do to Dilandau; more changes. By the spirits, that evil man had been responsible for Dilandau's lust, hate, and aggression. The fact that the sorcerer had been thinking the same thing concerning me sickened me to my very soul. I was brought out of my panic by the sound of Dilandau's thoughts right before he spoke.

"Do it now!" Dilandau growled as Hell only stood there. Her expression changed and too late Dilandau could see that he had pushed her too far. She launched her body at him in a viscous attack, one not controlled by a well trained solider, but by someone whom had been abused in the past. Dilandau was thrown off balance by the unexpectedness of it, but as Hell's fist made contact with his jaw, he realized what had just happened; that she had been broken in this manner before, and badly.

Without a second thought he grabbed her fist as she was about to land a second blow and retaliated, slapping her hard across the face. Hell was momentarily stunned just long enough so that Dilandau was able to quickly twist her arm behind her back and forced her down onto his bed belly first. He leaned into her so she could feel him harden as he pressed himself into her backside. His voice was low and menacing as he whispered into her ear. "This position pleases me just as much as looking into you face would. You decide, but know this; you will not strike me again. Ever!"

Dilandau smiled, and I could feel the triumph surge in his mind, he knew he now had the upper hand. He grabbed Hell as he stood pulling her up with him; he noticed with satisfaction that she was bleeding from her slightly swollen lip. Lust surged through him at the sight of the blood, it made him grow harder, painfully hard, and he welcomed the pain. He moved in, and kissed the blood from her lips just as he had seen her do to the bridge of Kuja's nose that first day.

I could feel jealousy flared in Dilandau's mind; if I didn't do something he would hurt her. I pushed at the jealousy getting it back under control, then encouraged the feelings of passion he had already begun to feel. Dilandau stopped for a moment to just look into the eyes of the woman he held. His head lowered slightly as he kissed her again slipping his tongue into her mouth tasting her sweetness; woman mixed with blood. Dilandau's emotions were becoming so strong that I found I was becoming as aroused as he was.

Dilandau moaned, as he deepened the kiss, no longer did he want to punish Hell, he want her naked in his bed and willing. As he continued to kiss her his hands released her to find their way to the fastenings of her gown. Slowly he began to undo them being careful not to ruin what he had just made her put on. But the gown was not made for easy removal, much to Dilandau's frustration. I felt his impatience but was unable to calm it, for he reacted so fast. He grabbed a dagger from his bedside stand and sliced the gown off Hell to reveal her womanly body hidden under its silky folds. The gown now lay ruined at her feet, but Hell didn't seem to care, as her hands went to his coverings. Dilandau's mind almost exploded with need when he felt Hell begin to undo his armour, she was pulling at it in her own haste to remove it from him. He chuckled as he kicked the silky garment of the gown away from Hell's feet and started to help her finish removing all that he wore.

They were both now naked and Dilandau stepped back to look at Hell's body, even the parts that hadn't been kissed by the sun were exotically dark compared to the alabaster whiteness of his own skin. He pushed Hell down onto the bed, landing lightly on top of her and rolling them both so they lay side by side. They explored each other and after a time Dilandau rolled Hell to her back, positioning himself on top as she parted her legs willingly for him.

I was unable to control what happened next, the emotions were just too strong; I had to have an outlet for them, so I linked with Dilandau's conscience mind and then formed a bridge to Hell's linking the two. The emotions of both flowed through me as they began to share the passion and need each was experiencing. Hell didn't know what was happening to her, she was certain that an outside influence was doing this to them, but Dilandau, his mind knew exactly what it had position of, and that was me. He pushed the knowledge aside for now, and concentrated on the emotions coursing back and forth through the link between the two as they continued to move in rhythm together. He kissed her face and neck, then moved lower to suck one breast as he knead the other with his hand, playing with it's hardness between his fingers. He moved his hips in and out as he rocked her in time to his own body. Her legs moved to trap his pulling him closer as his thrusts became more urgent, more powerful, filling her completely and sending waves of pure bliss coursing through her, through me and through him. Time ceased to exist for them as the moment stretched on and when they finally climaxed, linked together, it was of such intensity that my energy echoed it back to them causing them to experience it for a second time.

It had taken a long time for Dilandau to sleep; his mind was so alert, even in the first stages, that I waited till he was in a deep sleep before I felt safe enough to move about in his mind. It was only then that I felt the grip of his emotions loosen its hold on me, but not enough to pull free from his mind; even in sleep he was too strong for that. It was so quiet inside Dilandau's mind as he slept, the contentment I felt was something that he would never feel in his life. How I could have felt exhausted without my body was beyond me, but I did. At least I had time to reflect on all that had occurred to me. I was using my abilities in ways that I had never done before, seeing thoughts, not just emotions, influencing by direct command, and that bridge between Dilandau and Hell. If I had been aware and used these abilities when I first began to show them, young and unaware of the fear and hate they would bring upon me, I have no doubt that the people of my families village would have killed me instead of forcing me to leave. I missed my home, the memory of it brought back by Folken when we linked. I was from Fanelia and still longed for the quietness of it. But that was so long ago, and now all that I was, was Destiny. But I wondered just whose destiny was being changed; was it these people, or was it mine? I needed get out of there and back to my own body; it couldn't continue to exist indefinitely without a mind. I remembered that knot of emotions that was in there with me, the ones held in check by the dominant emotions of Dilandau's conscience; it was time I explored them.

I entered the area of Dilandau's mind holding those emotions to find there another shock. These emotions were not Dilandau's at all, but belonged to a totally different being, a being almost driven insane by its imprisonment there. It had the memories of what was done to Dilandau by the sorceress coursing through it. If these emotions were to resurface in Dilandau, which some day they might, the personality there would be no more than that of a wild beast, insane and uncontrollable. The only way to save Dilandau, and the personality hidden deep inside him would be to remove those memories from him. Was it possible, could I? And more importantly what would they do to me? There was no decision to make, I could not, would not be able to live with the knowledge that I could have helped, but didn't. Stealing memories had to be as wrong as commanding someone against their will. But this wasn't the time to debate what was going to happen anyway. This wasn't going to be an accident, like it had been with Lord Folken; I knew what I was doing and I knew there would be a price to pay.

Dilandau woke as he felt Hell slipping away from him. She was going to leave, steal away, like a whore or mistress would. He didn't want her to leave that way, they had just begun to have pleasure together, and he wanted more. He was going to take her again; I could feel it as I could feel the beginnings of his arousal. He was also concerned about my presence in his mind; he knew I was there, that awareness hadn't left him since his discovery of me when I linked with him last night. He knew my name, bouncing it around again and again. Destiny. Folken would pay for this, he had his plaything, his spy. But he would first see to his own needs, the ones only Hell could satisfy. I had to try now, before it was too late, his mind was already making plans to use me to his own gain.

Dilandau stood and, wrapping the sheet around his lower body, he started to advance to where Hell stood by the door to his chamber. Her hand was on the latch, but she hadn't opened it, she was listening to his voice, it was soothing her, drawing her back to him. I gathered all my energy into as tight a sphere as I could, and then reached out to surround the memories, the pain and the insanity that had for so long tormented the other being trapped in his mind. Its energy mixed with my own, giving me new strength; the strength of insanity. I pulled with all my force to release myself from the emotions of Dilandau's mind, that which had held me. I could almost feel the snap, as my energy was again free to return to my body. Dilandau staggered slightly shaking his head as if to clear it. The pain and suffering I had taken from him coursed through me, needles of burning fluid, tubes, knives and the smiling face of Lord Omadon and other sorcerers as they did those things to me, no as they did them to Dilandau. Mixed with it was the knowledge that he planned to do it again.

My eyes flew open as my mind swiftly found and entered my own body, I then heard a scream, and it took me some time to realize that the awful blood curdling sound had originated from me. I finally was able to control it long enough to make it stop. Looking around I saw first Demitri and then Lord Folken; both looked as if they hadn't slept. The looks on both faces began to change to that of relief, as my screaming subsided, until I began to speak, still confused as to how this had all happened to me.

"You knew he was different, he trapped me. I…" Lord Folken was looking at me strangely; was that regret I saw in his eyes? "DILANDAU!" I screamed as I collapsed back into the softness of the bed. Suddenly Demitri was there gathering me into his arms.

"Destiny, I thought I'd lost you, please you need strength." He murmured.

I did need strength; I could feel the effect that my long absence had had on my body. Someone was going to pay anyone would do, the insanity told me. No, I couldn't take from either of these men, in my state I could hurt them, my emotions were too close to being out of control. The memories and emotions I had taken were like a sickness and I couldn't risk passing it to anyone. Or could I, I thought as an idea started to form in my mind. There was only one place I was going to get the strength I needed from. He owed me, he had held me there in his mind.

"No, I won't take it, not from you and not from him." I chocked out as I pointed at Lord Folken. "You made me go into his mind. He's dangerous, a cold-blooded killer, loyal only to Zaibach and to himself. You want your toy back, Folken, then get me Dilandau, he owes me."

"What did you do to her Lord Folken, you promised that she would be safe, that you could protect her. I've never seen her like this before. Destiny, why would the Old Ones allowed this to happen?"

"That's enough, Demitri!" I rasped as I pushed him from me. "The Old Ones have forsaken me, can't you see that. They have given me to Zaibach, I must do the bidding of Lord Folken now, as I can't deny him." Was that me telling such tales, but I had to, if I wanted my plan to succeed.

"The Old Ones; I don't understand Demitri. Destiny didn't come here by accident, did she?" Folken asked the question quietly in a voice that commanded an answer. The question was clearly directed at Demitri, but I answered.

"No, after I was driven out of my village for being different, they came to me in my dreams. They told me that I had been given a gift, one to be used at their direction; to change destiny where it was needed, but always it was just to shift emotions to the proper direction and let the beings themselves find their way in the end. But then they sent me here and left me to you." I could feel myself growing weaker. "I can't take unless I give, and Dilandau, I have given to him, so I will take only from him." I hoped that this plan was for good and not just the insanity inside me wanting revenge, but I needed Dilandau to make it work. He would help me rid both of us of that Sorcerer Omadon.

Destiny's mind smiled embracing the insanity that was Dilandau.