Tales of the Dark Abyss

CHAPTER ONE

-1-

Ion had been kidnapped many a time, but this had never happened. He’d been tainted, humiliated, and there’d been no one around to help him. He was much too weak to use his Daathic Fonic Arts as self-defence, unless he wanted to die at an early age. Pain was all that he could feel, coursing through his body as if a poisoned-filled needle had punctured his skin and set off to kill him. With all this pain, he could no longer crawl to find safety, wherever that was. Truth be told, Ion hadn’t any idea as to where he was. Well, it was dark, cold, and obviously outside since he could feel a light rain and wind. He collapsed into his blood, which was making its way out of him from the lower part of his body.

Violated. Contaminated. Fouled. The temple would never accept him ever again. What had he done to deserve this? For once he didn’t want to be the cause of trouble, the downfall in his party. Alas, he failed. Always did. Somehow he always managed to fuck everything up by being kidnapped. At least the men who’d abducted him were gone now considering they had no need for Ion anymore… not that anyone would have a need for Ion anymore. The Order of Lorelei could never accept someone who’d been dirtied, for they were Holy and clean. Was there a reason to be living anymore now? He’d been created only for the purpose of serving such a sacred order, and certainly, because of now… no, there was no need to live. He was ruined…

“…Ion…” a voice echoed somewhere in the distance, but could just barely be heard. “…I…on…” Ion shut his eyes, allowing his consciousness to withdraw.

-2-

“Oh my,” Jade could barely breathe, for the shock which had gathered within him didn’t allow his lungs to operate as they should. Ion’s clothes were a mess, bloodied and ripped apart revealing… certain areas of his body. How could someone do this to a mere child? The poor thing was only 14. Jade then tasted blood himself.

Oh?

His nose was bleeding. Certainly he couldn’t be thinking… “Oh come now, body of mine, this is no time to bring out your perverted-ness.” Well, Jade was slightly tilted inside the head and he certainly had fantasies about Ion from time to time—“But this is certainly not the time to be thinking of such things.” The Colonel shook his head, pushing his glasses up with his index finger. Oh, he was certainly going to hell.

He walked up to the unconscious boy and picked him up very carefully. Ion was much lighter than what was expected. But he was also freezing, practically resembling the temperature of ice. Jade closed his eyes as he brushed his cheek against the boy’s forehead softly and then feathered a kiss on the same spot. No one must know what happened to the boy, or else all hell would break loose. But… Ion would indeed be psychologically skewed, Jade Curtiss was positive.

‘First thing’s first, I must bring him to the Inn before anyone else gets there. And then that’s when I’ll figure thing’s out.’ He looked at the tiny body he held in his arms, the body he had longed for. Somehow, in some sick sense, this was sort of Jade’s dream: to rescue the one he loved from danger. Well, maybe only half his dream. He obviously hadn’t rescued Ion on time but, no matter, he did manage to get here. His dreams also had Ion thanking Jade in ways that were not for speaking aloud.

‘I need to get a hold of myself,’ Jade thought. If he didn’t, he was afraid Ion wouldn’t have anyone for proper protection.

-3-

Ion woke up, his vision hazy at first, then clearing. He was no longer outside, but inside the Inn where he was to stay overnight. He was able to sit up now, for his body seemed to be completely healed, but he was still tired and… what’s this? His garments were gone. All of them! Well, it was most certainly a good thing he was under these large comforters.

Oh, and his body was cleaned.

‘Who did this for me? I wonder…’

“Oh, it looks like you’re awake,” Jade said, standing at the doorway holding some folded clothes.

‘Oh…’

Well that just explained everything. Because Ion was burdened with the gift of being able to sense feelings, just ever so slightly, he’d felt rather uncomfortable around the Colonel.

‘I shouldn’t be thinking this way; he helped me. He saved me from dying. I’m pretty sure that was his voice I heard before I passed out. He most likely saw what happened to me.’ And yet… there was Jade, standing at the doorway, smiling cheerily. He was glad that Ion was okay, and he wasn’t feeling disgusted of him. Jade seemed to feel… relieved about Ion being okay.

Ion blushed, looking down at his knees covered in massive amounts of blankets.

-4-

Ion had put on an expression that read, “I’m so ashamed of myself”. Was he, really? Well, it was to be expected of the young boy.

Jade had come in to dress the boy, so he stood at the door, grinning guiltily, holding a fresh pair of attire for the young Fon Master. After all, he had already undressed the boy, washed him, enjoyed doing both more than he should have, so he might as well finish the job and give him new clothes. They didn’t look exactly like his other clothes, which he should get a new pair of, but they should fit nicely.

“I… am so sorry for all the trouble I put—”

“Please don’t apologize, Ion,” Jade voiced softly. It saddened him to hear Ion express regret in such a manner, especially after what had happened to him. “The trouble I went through was well worth the prize.” Oh no, Jade was speaking without thinking, again. “Don’t you think?”

The look on Ion’s face, the look of pure shame was so easy to read. Jade went up to him, sat next to him and handed Ion his new clothes.

“Th-thank-you,” Ion whispered. Jade frowned a little, wishing to Lorelei that he hadn’t said what he had. Oh well, it was too late now.

“Are you hungry, thirsty? Is there anything I can do for you?” Well, for one thing, he could leave and let the poor boy be alone. But that was also dangerous. He wasn’t sure, now that the boy had been raped, if Ion would hurt himself and try to end his life.

‘But why fall into such dramatic conclusions? The boy is such a religious being, he would never…’ But now… he wasn’t so sure if the boy cared about what his religious laws were.

“I think I just need some more rest. I appreciate all that you have done for me,” Ion sounded as if he were reciting lines in the most boring play ever, for his voice was quiet and droned out, almost… robotic.

“All right. Would you like me to stay here and keep an eye—”

“No! I… I mean… the offer is appreciated, but I would rather you not. Thank you anyway.” Jade was dumbfounded.

Ion. Feared. Jade.

‘Oh dear…’

After all he’d done for the kid? Every time he gets himself kidnapped, Jade and the gang always have to…

Fuck, he shouldn’t feel angry at Ion just because he was rejected.

‘Well, it was a rather hasty rejection if you ask me.’ That was, if you asked Jade. Anyone else would probably agree that Ion wanted to be alone just to be alone, and not to avoid Jade.

“Very well,” the colonel bowed his head. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be in the lobby.”

“Thank you Jade,” Ion replied half vacantly. Jade left the room, closed the door, and sighed to himself.

‘For the love of Lorelei, I do hope he doesn’t hurt himself.’ And just to make sure he didn’t, Jade could just peak through the crack of the door, risking getting caught and looking like the biggest pedophile ever, but making sure at the same time that Ion was being safe. ‘And as if anyone would believe me if I told them, “Oh, I’m just making sure Ion isn’t being suicidal.”’ Ion being suicidal. That’s a good one. Hah…

Despite all that, he decided to peak anyway. Ion had already gotten into his new garbs, but now was sitting on top his bed, his knees up with his arms wrapped around them, and his head buried down. Oh, he was weeping. He couldn’t hear anything, but the shaking of his body indicated that, indeed, he was crying.

“Oh, my poor Ion,” Jade whispered. Well, it was probably time he got to the lobby.

-5-

“Luke! Wait up!” ‘Homigawd…’ Luke turned around and saw Guy running towards him.

“What?”

“I…I…” It seemed that his was friend out of breath. “I saw Jade… bring… bringing back Ion… he looked…”

“Calm down there, Guy,” Luke said, tying his hair back into a long ponytail. “What’s all this about?” He waited for Guy to catch his breath.

“Ahem,” Guy grunted. “I saw Jade carrying back Ion, and he looked really hurt. He was passed out in Jade’s arms, his clothes were tattered and bloody, he was more pale than usual… I mean… perhaps we should—”

“Meh, he’ll be alright without us,” Luke said, dismissing Guy’s words.

“Luke! How could you say something like that?! We should go see if he’s alright!”

‘Jeez. The persistence of this guy…’

“Fine, do whatever!” Luke angrily waved his hands around, making him look like a child who had just been told that he couldn’t get any candy.

‘He probably just got into a fight with some animals and used his stupid Daathic Fonic Arts and passed out!’ “I’ll just be on my way and…”

“You’re coming too!” Guy ordered, pulling his master’s arm. Luke instinctively pulled away, blushing for some unknown reason and followed along. He didn’t like being ordered around, especially from his servant. But, since his servant was also his best friend, he supposed he could do him this small favour. He was hoping to go and train, fight some monsters, but…

“Oh man,” Luke grumbled, folding his arms.

“What? Don’t be such a baby.”

-6-

“Just go inside.”

Ion woke up, feeling most dreadfully tired. His head hurt too, probably from sleeping with his head on his knees.

“Oh Jeez, it’s just ION! He’s not going to hurt you.” Luke was probably the one being bossed around by Guy.

What about Jade? He should have stopped them or something…

‘Well, he was probably really exhausted and fell asleep in the lobby,’ Ion thought.

“Hey, Ion,” Guy said softly, walking into the room.

“Hello, Guy,” Ion responded, trying not to sound depressed. “Hello, Luke.”

“Hmph.” Luke stood at the corner of the room, his arms crossed and one leg folded over the other. “You don’t look too beat up to me.”

“LUKE!” Guy turned, glared at his master, then looked back at Ion with a smile. “I saw you coming in here with Jade. Are you alright?”

“I…” Ion blushed and looked away, hoping that whatever higher power there was wouldn’t smite him. “I just fell, but I’m okay now, thanks to Jade.”

“Just… fell?” Guy raised an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah right,” Luke said suddenly. “With the description Guy gave me, you sounded to be just about half dead!” His voice suggested that he cared, causing Ion to feel even guiltier than before. “I mean… jeez Ion, it obvious you didn’t just ‘fall’.”

“I’m glad you care about me Luke, it makes me feel…” Happy, warm, nervous; all were true, “glad.”

“That’s some nice clothes you have there,” Guy said to change to subject. He most likely saw the edginess in Ion’s face. Guy then brushed the fabric on Ion’s arm. “Nice and soft. Did Jade get those for you? They must be really comfortable.”

“Yeah…” The one thing he hated more than anything else was when people talked to him and treated him like a child. Sure he was fourteen, but his maturity level was to that of an adult. He gave people the respect they deserved, maybe even more so. The only people who didn’t seem to treat him like a child were Luke, Anise and… Jade. Luke treated him as if he were someone who should be able to take care of himself, which was appreciated… to an extent of course. Then there was Anise. She treated him as someone above her, but mostly because he was a Fon Master. Not to mention, he was older than her. Jade, well, he was a different story, which Ion had no interest in getting into right now. Besides, the matter was that he really loathed how everyone else just treated him with such low quality respect.

And here was Guy… treating him like some eight-year-old boy.

“Did… you happen to see Jade in the lobby?” Ion asked. He didn’t know why he was curious… seriously, out of all people, why did he want to know of Jade’s whereabouts?

“No, actually.” Guy looked at Luke, who shook his head.

“Probably went out to get us some more apple and orange gels.” Luke shrugged his shoulders. “Either way, I don’t really care”

“Oh…” Ion thought he said he would have stayed in the lobby. Oh, but he had told the man he didn’t want him around. Maybe Jade felt that Ion was uncomfortable around him and saw the need that he should leave.

T.B.C.