From: Celtic Goddess Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 01:23:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: xfc: *NEW* Victorious <1/1> Source: xfc Title: Victorious Author: TeaL Talitha_1013@yahoo.co.nz Classification: SRA Keywords: Pre-XF, FowlFic Rated: PG-13 Archive: Gossamer, HOF, Xemplary. Anywhere else just ask me frst :) Summary: Pre-XF. That's the best I can do. Authors Notes: This fic is weird. I have no clue where the idea came from .It makes most characters seem evil. But really they're not. Well..some aren't... *g* I don't really know how to explain this one, just go with it and keep your mind open :) Also I know this isn't true Mulder/Scully/Fowley characterisation. This is set in a different lifetime so they aren't the characters we know them as yet. Plus this isn't about Mulder, Scully and Fowley. It's about William, Dana and Diana.... Disclaimer: at end of fic. "Nothing yields to shelter. From above, they say temptation will destroy our love. The never-ending hunger... I have so much to lose here in this lonely place" "God be praised, I am victorious" VICTORIOUS by TeaL Talitha_1013@yahoo.co.nz "Now my friends, we have a duty here to do. We must sterilize this earth" 1462 Transylvania A thick fog filled the air, shrouding the land below in eternal darkness. Diana stood, leaning against cold brick, high up on one of the old castle's many balconies. On a fine day she would be able to see out past the dense woods with a clear view of the distant mountains that rose above the land like a god, keeping a watchful eye on his followers. But today she saw nothing but the smoky, gray fog. Diana felt a shiver run down her spine, there was something in the air. Something that felt very wrong. Something evil. A hand lightly touched her shoulder and she jumped at the slight touch. Startled, she turned. "Oh Diana, I'm very sorry. I did not intend to scare you." "Dana!" she exclaimed, recognising her fiancs best friend once her eyes had focused. "I was a little preoccupied," Diana said, shaking her head trying to clear the lingering embarrassment. Dana moved to the edge of the balcony and looked down "With what? The fog?" Diana sighed, "Yes, the fog," she paused, "but more with my thoughts. Those of the events occurring below the fog" Dana nodded. Below them, William, her best friend and Diana's fianc, was punishing some peasants. When the heavy air lifted, both woman knew they would be able to see the 'punishment', not something one might consider the highlight of the day. "Shall we?, Diana asked slowly, gesturing towards the sanctuary of the castles interior. Dana looked back, the air was thinning. She was about to suggest they wait a little longer, then noticed Diana was already inside. Dana sighed and almost reluctantly followed. ******************** Walking down the gently curving stairway, Diana stole quick glance at Dana and wondered how she and William had come to be such firm friends. They were so different in so many ways, yet so perfectly in tune with each other. Diana had been witness to the most verbal arguments she had ever seen while in their company, but in the end their friendship remained intact if not stronger than before. When Diana looked at William she saw love in his eyes. Occasionally she swore she also saw just a hint of pity, but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared and never gave Diana the chance to know for sure. When he looked at Dana, Diana was sometimes almost overcome by the love he held in his eyes for her. The love of a friend. The love that held also respect and trust. A love Diana feared she would never know. She wanted that respect. She needed that trust. A sudden agonizing scream reverberated off the castle walls, breaking Diana out of her, almost as agonizing, reverie. She shuddered. "Diana?" Dana had seen the way Diana had reacted to the scream. "I'm ok, I just need some time alone for a while" Diana said, her voice uneven and broken. Dana nodded and watched her go. As Diana disappeared back up the stairs from which they'd came, the castle's main doors opened and the sound attracted Dana's attention. And there he was, covered in blood, missing his sword, looking like he'd just been hit by a carriage. "William!" Dana exclaimed as she ran towards the doors and embraced her friend. "Dana, how are you?" "I'm fine," she smiled. William returned the smile as he gently eased himself out of her tight embrace. Her trademark reply, even if she wasn't 'fine' she wouldn't tell him any different. It had almost become a reflex to reply in that way. But he knew her, he knew her as well as he knew his own heart and by now she didn't have to tell him if she was upset, or hurting or angry, no matter how evenly she spoke the words, he could tell otherwise. He often wondered, if they weren't so different, if Diana had never been would he and Dana have a different relationship? There had been times in the past when events had occurred that had affected them so deeply, they had grown even closer. But they had never shared anything more than friendship. Neither had ever mentioned the word 'love' to the other at least not out loud. William had met Diana and fallen in love with her almost instantly but lately, although he didn't like to admit it, he knew his love for her was diminishing more with every passing day. Yes he still loved her but now when he looked deep into her eyes, he no longer saw the soul he wanted to spend the rest of his days as one with. Twice earlier he had almost slipped and called her Dana. Dana was his friend, Diana was his lover. It was an unspoken mantra that he repeated mentally over and over to himself, one he believed less every day. Placing his hand on the small of Dana's back they walked silently into the large dining room. "How many today?" Dana asked quietly, referring to the peasants. William sighed, "Too many," he paused before adding, "I just don't know what to do anymore. The stakes no longer frighten them and it's as if they *welcome* death." Dana nodded. She understood. The peasants had been acting strange lately and William had removed over 50 in the last two weeks. The smell of rotting flesh was beginning to penetrate the castle walls and was even starting to get to the usually stoic Dana. Perhaps it was because of the talk of war. She understood if it was; all in the village knew of the fighting that grew closer to them with every passing day. Dana knew eventually William would be called to fight. She trusted William, she knew he could hold his own in any fight whether it be verbal or physical but still two words forever nagged at her... 'What if...' Her life would be empty without him; she couldn't imagine getting through the rest of her life without him. Dana shuddered slightly and pushed the thoughts out of her mind. "Dana?" Dana looked up at him and smiled but it never reached her eyes. She saw his worried gaze and quickly took hold of his hand and pulled him forward towards the dining room. "Come" she said, a gleam in her eye. The large table in the dining room was covered with exotic dishes; many different breads, and pitchers full of wines. William took his seat at the table with Dana a few seats down. After a few moments they were joined by Diana and soon they were eating and laughing. The horrors of the day long forgotten. ******************** "I don't know how much longer I can take it," Dana's voice whispered to her companion as they walked down by the small stream which twisted below the castle walls at the bottom of a small hill. "I promise you wont have to wait much longer." "But how long?" Desperation crept into Dana's voice with every word. "Soon." "How soon?" "Dana, you must know this is not something that can be rushed." Dana sighed, "This hasn't been rushed. You of all people know how long I have waited." "Which is why I promise it will be soon." "I'm..." "Dana?" William's voice interrupted through the mist. "Quick, you must leave. We'll speak soon." Dana gave her companion a gentle friendly shove in the opposite direction. "Dana?" "I'm over by the river, William." She called back. William's familiar figure appeared as if out of nowhere through the forever present haze and he stopped before her with a bewildered expression on his features. "Why on earth are you out here?" "I needed to be able to see it again." she told him softly. "See what, Dana?" he asked, more confused now. "The earth, the ground. I missed it." "I understand." taking her hand he gently pulled her in the direction of their home, "Come now, it's cold out here." Dana nodded and reluctantly allowed herself to be lead back inside. ******************** "I wonder why William refuses to set a date." Diana sat in Dana's room sharing her musings about her future wedding. Dana had done her best to shake Diana as she'd moved from room to room attempting to make herself seem busy but Diana had proved resistant to Dana's attempts. Dana had faced the fact she was stuck discussing the uninteresting conversation with Diana and had retreated to her room in hopes that Diana would eventually leave. "William has a lot on his mind." "You think he's forgotten?" Diana asked shocked. "I didn't say that." Dana said sharply. Seeing Diana's hurt expression she apologized for her tone and added, "How could William forget something so important? All I'm saying is he loves you and he knows that when this fighting is over he'll still love you. You'll still be here. He just needs to focus more on other events right now. For all of us." "You're right. You're always right. No wonder he respects your opinion as much as he does." Dana was scared the woman beside her was about to become over emotional and she wasn't sure how she'd handle that. She sat in silence for a moment unsure of how to respond. "No one is *always* right, Diana." She gave the woman a friendly smile, "Now, I'm sorry to have to do this but I really have a lot of things I must attend to." "I'm sorry, of course you do. I'll let you be." Diana stood to leave but paused before she left the room, "We'll talk later?" "Of course we will," Dana reassured her. ******************** "Tomorrow morning at dawn." Dana shot her companion a surprised look, "You are ready?" "If not tomorrow then it will never happen." A small smile tugged at the corners of Dana's mouth. "Tomorrow morning at dawn." she confirmed and hurried back to the castle. She had a message for Diana. ******************** The mist once again blanketed the ground like a death shroud suffocating the earth. Dana stood in the middle of the courtyard breathing in the cold air. She felt safe, almost protected and soon she would be whole again. ******************** Diana walked slowly through the thick mist; she couldn't see what she was stepping on or what was in front and around her. It was an unnerving feeling. Cautiously moving around the large stakes and bones, Diana wondered why of all the places Dana had asked to meet here. Suddenly a powerful force connected with the back of her skull and she fell to the ground, barely conscious. Diana moaned, more from shock than pain, and tried to focus her eyes on the figures that had emerged through the mist in front of her. "You poor pathetic creature" a voice laughed off to her right somewhere and she realised it belonged to Alex, one of William's most skilled swordsmen. Rough hands pulled her to her feet, one took hold of her hair and yanked it down so she was forced to look up at the figure in front of her. "Dana?" she murmured. "Have no fear, Child. There will be no more pain." A sharp blow once again hit the back of her head and blackness consumed her. Dana leaned down and felt for Diana's pulse. Finding none she nodded towards the two men then left to walk the gentle rise that lead up to the castle. Dana searched the castle for William, upon finding him she quickly urged him to follow her. "Come. The mist is thinning and soon we shall be able to see the land again!" William saw the joy in her eyes and allowed her to lead him to the balcony, unaware of the real reason behind her pleasure. "Dana?" William said confused, "It doesn't seem to be any thinner..." "Trust me" she interrupted, "I come here everyday" Two voices broke the stillness and mist swirled in angry circles. "Help! We need help down here!", one voice yelled and was followed by another one, "Diana jumped!" William almost jumped off the castle himself in his haste to reach her but quickly came to his senses and ran as fast as was humanly possible through the castle and outside into the mist. Dana followed closely behind. William half ran, half skidded down the rocky embankment that lead to the river which separated the castle from the village.. Alex met up with them but hung back with Dana when Diana's body came into view. William collapsed beside Diana. Her body broken, hair matted by blood, lying face down in the river. William gently turned her over and held her close, crying silently. Dana almost felt her own heart break at the sight of William holding the body of the one he loved so close. Dana wasn't heartless and this hurt her but it had to be. Dana watched sadly as William gently held Diana's body close to his chest and carried her back to the castle. "William?" She began slowly but was interrupted before she could continue. "Not now. Let me be, please" William told her sharply as he continued up the incline. Alex watched as William disappeared through the castle's entrance and gently placed a hand on Dana's shoulder. "Give him time," he told her softly. "I know. I will." She turned to look at the man who had betrayed William for her, "I feel almost bad for Diana. I never liked her and I never trusted her but William loved her. She must have had some good qualities." "If she did she kept them well hidden from us." Dana sighed, "She thought I was her friend. I never should have let her think that but I only did it for William." "I know you did," Alex took her hand and led her back to the castle, "Diana never belonged here. I think William even knew that. All he wanted was for her to fit in but deep down he knew she never would. Diana and William never had that spark that you and he have. The only reason he let himself love her was because he truly believed he could never have you. She was your substitute and a poor one at that." Dana smiled at his words. "When his grieving is over and his last tear for her has been shed then you must show him he never needed her. He loves you, but right now he's preoccupied. Give him time." "I will. If I've waited this long I think I can wait a little longer. I still feel a little bad because of what we did but I also feel so free." "You are, and finally so is he." "Thank you, Alex. For everything. You risked so much for me, how can I ever repay you?" "Your happiness and the fact you helped me rid the castle of that menace is thanks enough." Dana squeezed his hand once before letting go of it. Alex stopped at the castle entrance and watched her walk inside with a renewed bounce in her step. One which had been missing for too long. With an almost maniacal smile playing on his lips, Alex's mind was overcome with ways he would be repaid. Diana was out of his life making both he and Dana happy. But his true happiness would only be when William was out of their lives and Dana was his. Forever. THE END Feedback and heck even flames will be accepted for this! Talitha_1013@yahoo.co.nz I'm interested in your thoughts. Disclaimer: Nothing XF related belong to me, if they did do you think I'd be writing fanfic? All hail the almighty CC, I am but a meek servant girl who means you no harm. 'Dracula' belongs to Bram Stoker 'Fear' belongs to Sarah McLachlan ~No stakes were harmed while writing this fic~ C. 2000 http://www.angelfire.com/ms/msrfanfic/