Eclipse was trying to calm his breathing, but he had only little success.

"I'm not lying. I can do it," reminded him Mephiles. "You only need to stay with me. Forget about them, be mine." He tightened his hug a bit, but not in a restraining manner.

Eclipse gulped, almost feeling tears in his eyes. What he has just told him... he couldn't deny it has been... on his mind... at least once.

"I can have your children," whispered again Mephiles. "As many as you want." He gently rubbed his cheek against his neck. "You can take your children with you. I don't mind. Just be with me."

Eclipse gulped... this time it felt painful like a huge ball of hard saliva traveled thru his throat. "You..." he has finally spoken. "... hurt my family. You attacked them. You wanted to kill them!!" His voice was getting loader by a word.

"I..."

"Get the hands of me, if you want to keep them," he growled. To his surprise the dark knight listened to his request, backing down.

"I'm aware of my mistake," he softly spoken. "I shall change... I shall turn to a person you want me to be."

Eclipse for a moment thought he is begging him. His touch... it was lonely. "Are you saying you shall do what I say you?"

"Yes!" he answered almost too fast, showing he is in a big hurry. "I'll do anything!"

Eclipse turned around. "Then... don't close your heart." Mephiles has shown a confusion on his face. "Your gold... your treasures... even if you can carry my child... I still can't love you. My heart belongs to Lance."

He heard Mephiles' breathing to become heavier.

"I don't know how have you fallen in a love with me, but it's too late. You already hurt my heart enough, but..." He gently smiled and softly touched knight's cheek. "... I can't hate you, but I can't love you either. For some reason, you have decided to be gentle this time and I shall take it as a sight there is more to you that I have seen."

"No, I can still give you more! Just tell me! I shall fulfill it!" he sounded desperate.

"I wish... to go home." Mephiles made few steps back. "You gave your word, I'm free to return," he reminded him patiently.

Mephiles clenched his fists and after a while, a black swirling portal was next to him. "Go," he said.

Eclipse approached him and before he entered, he said: "Please, don't close your heart, there will be a special person for you somewhere." He walked thru the portal and the hole slowly closed.

Mephiles' head was hanging down. "It's... too late for me..." A crack appeared on his crystalline hand.

Eclipse returned home, seeing Lancelot hasn't woke up. His lover laid down next to him, gently touching his quills. 'I'm happy I got to met you, even if our start wasn't the happiest one.' He remembered Mephiles' eyes. 'I wonder, why did he look so sad? Did he truly love me?' He closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep.

[** Many miles away **]

A lone knight in a silverish armor was standing on the edge of the forest. He appeared to be around seventeen years old. On his side was short sword resembling more of a wider dagger. He seemed to be in a bad mood as he was clasping his fists. "Father..." he silently murmured. The breeze caressed his long silver quills.