Chapter 1 (introducing a new chapter)
He didn't know why but lately he wasn't feeling like he was in total control of his maoh powers. Yuri looked out the window of the office he was holed up in, looking for a sense of peace he hadn't felt since Wolfram had declared they weren't engaged. Sure, they had returned to their strange relationship just over a year ago, but...
Since that break up though, Yuri just hadn't felt like his powers were normal. He felt like they fell deeper inside of him, and now he had to reach down through a tiny crevice to squeeze out a small piece.
Yuri, of course, didn't say anything to the others. It wouldn't do to have Gunter howling in sadness or Gwendel hounding him into training. So, he kept the feeling to himself, and in his spare time, he subtly pumped Anissina and Gisela about magical health in the kingdom. Under the pretense that he was doing research to help purify the miasma leaking from the Mount Mockadeera they helped him research and compile information.
What he was learning, though, didn't seem to help his own predicament. The uneasy feeling, and the distance to his powers seemed to be getting worse as time slipped by.
A light knock brought him out of his musings. He glanced down at the amount of paperwork and sighed, "Come in, Murata" he called already knowing who it was. He was the only one who waited for permission to enter after all.
Ken Murata walked in. His black hair hanging down in front of his eyes while his glasses reflected some of the remaining sunlight. His dark eyes latched and held his friends. Inquisitiveness turned to searching and searching to concern as Yuri still hadn't moved from his stationary position.
"Shibuya?"
"What do you need Murata?" Yuri cut him short, not wanting to hear the concern.
Ken's eyes narrowed in suspicion before he answered. "Lady Ulrike has a message she'd like to convey. Are you free to see her immediately?" He spoke his message with the utmost formality, hinting he was not pleased with the tone Yuri had used.
Yuri sighed quietly and closed his eyes in weariness. His head was starting to ache and with the magic so far away it felt like every movement was using extra physical energy. He didn't want to make the trek to the temple to see Ulrike but knew she wouldn't call for him if it wasn't important.
While Yuri was gathering the necessary energy to stand Ken took another look at his friend. He was pale in the setting sunlight and if he looked close enough he could see shadows starting to form under his eyes. It made him wonder if perhaps the young Von Bielefeld should have stayed at the castle instead of going on the phony training mission.
Since they had agreed to have Wolfram research an uprising in the south Yuri hadn't quite been the same. They didn't want Yuri to know though, not with all the other duties he'd been taking on recently, including the integration of merging classes. The nobles and peasants rebelled against the idea of being the same class, but Yuri was determined that no one was to be discriminated against. Leftover feelings, Murata was sure, from when they lived in Japan.
Yuri standing pulled Ken from his thoughts. He leaned heavily on his desk with his head bowed while taking a deep breath. When he straightened he was steady on his feet. He and Ken walked silently down the hall, one on his thoughts to stay standing straight up and the other dissecting all the recent actions of his friend. They made their way through the castle halls before coming to an exit close to the barns. Mounting their horses they made their way up to the temple.
The sun continued its downward arc in the sky as they made their way up the incline. The temple doors opened as the made their last approach and Ulrike stepped out to greet them.
"Your majesty, your excellency, thank-you for coming on such short notice. I needed to speak with both of you privately." Ulrike bowed slightly, her white hair swinging forward to hide part of her face.
"Please, Ulrike, you know you don't need to be so formal with us." Yuri dismounted and kneeled in front of her. "Stand and speak your mind."
"Thank-you, your majesty." Ulrike gestured inside the temple. "Why don't we step inside where it's cooler and more private?"
The boys nodded in unison as they stepped inside. The coolness of the temple air washed over Yuri and made him shiver slightly.
They all took their seats and Ulrike proceeded to tell them of a vision that had come to her earlier that day. It seems the magic that held the portal open between Maoh and Earth was beginning to collapse. It meant nothing in terms of Yuri's powers since they still felt magic radiating from him. However, she thought that it could be an outside party forcing the portal to close, or that someone was siphoning powers from the portal.
Several hours passed while Ulrike and Murata discussed possibilities, all the while Yuri felt the weight of tiredness and weariness bear down on him. He sought a more comfortable position and eased into a restless sleep.
Murata watched from the corner of his eye as his friend slumped a little deeper in slumber. He stopped Ulrike from waking him, "Something is wrong with him and I'd like for you to help me do an examination.."
Ulrikes quiet purple eyes left her majesty to settle on her companion. "What do you suspect?"
"It's not his magic itself since we both feel it just like we always do...I think it's something physical, emotional or mental. He's been under a lot of stress lately...a little bit from everyone. I'm starting to wonder if it's causing him to become ill."
Ulrike nodded as they crouched silently beside their Maoh. They reached for their magic and laid their hands on their king. Several minutes later purple met black, both their eyes filled with worry and fear.